Vanessa’s roots trace back to Chicago, but her artistic journey flourished after receiving her BFA from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and later her MFA from Ohio University. Beyond her educational pursuits, Vanessa is deeply invested in community art. She founded Scavenger Studios in Ashland, Oregon, in 2022, nurturing budding artists through workshops, classes, and open studios. Her artwork is a passionate call to environmental consciousness. Through detailed illustrations, Vanessa crafts messages about our bond with nature and the consequences of human negligence. She believes that art can be a powerful agent for change, emphasizing the urgency of rekindling our relationship with the natural world.