About
Hi, I’m Mandie. Like most people, I am taking life one day at a time, trying to do my best, some days with more grace than other days.
Life has taught me to be grateful for the small moments and the people who make it meaningful. My family is at the center of my life, and taking care of them brings me the deepest sense of purpose.
I have studied as an artist for years and have a bachelor's degree from BYU-Idaho in Integrated Studio Arts. It has been a lifelong hobby of mine to paint in the quieter spaces of my day.
I believe hardships can become something sacred—opportunities to grow in ways we never imagined and find strength we didn’t know we had.
That’s why I create art—not to solve problems, but to be a quiet companion in those moments.
A painting can hold a kind of stillness, a sense of beauty that reminds us of what’s possible. It doesn’t erase the hard days, but it can make them feel a little less heavy, a little more sacred.
My hope is that my art can be a small reminder that your challenges are not wasted—that they have a purpose, even if it’s not immediately clear.
If you’re looking for art that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the quiet hope of faith, I’d be honored to have my art be a part of your journey.
Thanks for being here—it means more than you might know.
Mandie
A Life Lesson
When I was fresh out of art school, full of excitement and nerves, I took one of my first steps into the real world of art by joining a local co-op gallery. It was a shared space run by artists who poured their time, money, and passion into pursuing their dreams. It took some work to get in: there were applications, portfolio reviews, and a need to prove I belonged. But when I saw my work on those walls, it was a moment of pride and possibility.
I found camaraderie among the other artists, especially an older woman with a kind smile who encouraged me. One day, she purchased a necklace I’d made featuring a painting of a masked girl. She was glowing with excitement, not only to support me but because the piece had sparked something in her. Holding it up, she asked, “What does this mean? What inspired you to create it?”
I froze. The truth was, I had painted it simply because I thought it was beautiful. There was no deeper meaning. I tried to explain, but I could see her enthusiasm shift—not in disappointment, but in a subtle way that felt like I had let her down.
That moment stuck with me. It wasn’t that I stopped valuing beauty for its own sake—I still believe it’s a noble goal. But I realized how much people crave meaning and connection through art. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to create work that comes from the heart, pieces with authenticity and purpose.
I don’t take commissions because I’ve learned that my best work comes when it’s deeply personal. My hope is that my art speaks to those carrying life’s burdens, offering a moment of uplift, a reminder that even amid hardship, beauty and meaning can coexist.
That lesson from the gallery was one of many that shaped how I approach my art today. It’s not just about creating something to admire but about connecting with others in a way that’s real, honest, and meaningful.
Note: I hesitated to share the image of the masked girl for this story. It’s a piece from much earlier in my journey, and my skills have grown since then. I hope you’ll keep that in mind when you see it—it doesn’t reflect the standard of my current work. Still, it’s a meaningful part of my journey, and I’m grateful for what it taught me about creating with heart and purpose.
This is my husband, Nathaniel (below). I met him during a card game night that my roommates and me put together. We were playing Pit, a loud, fast-paced card game, and I couldn’t understand why I kept winning. Every round, I’d somehow come out ahead, even when I wasn’t trying all that hard.
It wasn’t until later that I realized Nathaniel was sacrificing his own chances of winning in order to quietly orchestrate my wins. Instead of focusing on his own victory, he spent each game figuring out which cards I needed and subtly steering the game in my favor while blocking everyone else. It was equal parts mischievous and clever, and I remember thinking, “This guy is different.” That mix of strategy and selflessness turned out to be a pretty accurate glimpse of who Nathaniel is—someone who’s always thinking several steps ahead but who’s just as focused on lifting others as he is on achieving his own goals.
Now, years later, Nathaniel is an entrepreneur and project manager, and his ability to see both the big picture and the small, meaningful details has been a cornerstone of our life together. Whether he’s building businesses or helping me bring an artistic vision to life, he has a way of making the impossible feel within reach.
Together, we’re working on a new video channel called Storms and Brushstrokes, an endeavor that reflects our shared mission of finding beauty in life, even through its wildest and most unpredictable moments. It’s a celebration of nature—stormy skies, vibrant landscapes, and the awe that comes from watching the world unfold in all its grandeur. But it’s also about the personal side of creating, showcasing the individual brushstrokes and the meditations behind each piece of my art.
Nathaniel brings the structure and strategy to balance my creative energy, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this journey. Together, we hope Storms and Brushstrokes inspires others to see the beauty in both life’s chaos and its quiet moments—and to find their own excitement and joy in the natural world.
We’re just getting started, so we’d love your patience and support as this grows. If you’re interested in following along with our journey and getting a behind-the-scenes look at our process, we’d be incredibly grateful if you’d subscribe to our YouTube channel. Every follow helps us bring this vision to life, and we can’t wait to share what’s next with you! Thank you so much for being part of this adventure with us.