Creative Partner for U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team

At the beginning of 2020, I made it my new year's intention to have more fun and adventure. I asked the universe to surprise and delight me with a project that out-dreamed me and that also honored other women.

An opportunity that fulfilled that very request (in my opinion) presented itself. During a holiday pop-up market in Portland (my first ever) where I was a vendor with all my art prints and books displayed, I met an individual from the Communications team for U.S. Soccer Federation. He bought a stack of artwork and books for his peers letting me know how much they would appreciate them. Fast forward a few weeks, we connected via email about collaborating, and I literally jumped up and down at the chance to partner by illustrating the incredible women of the U.S. Women's National Team.

On March 8th, 2020, International Women's Day no less, I was lucky enough to attend the SheBelieves Cup hosted by USWNT with my nieces and brother! The coolest thing about this series of events is that my niece Emily is probably the biggest USWNT soccer fan ever. And to bring her along for this adventure felt like pure serendipitous magic. There's no other way to describe it.

I had ended up creating individual full-body illustrations of each member of the soccer team which ended up on posters and installations displayed at the SheBelieves Cup tournament occurring in multiple cities. Seeing my art in front of the stadium, out in the wild, was also a surreal feeling. I looked at my nieces at hoped that it broadened their beliefs about what is possible for their own lives especially in watching the sheer raw talent and determination of the women out on the field. The mission statement of the event that ended up on the poster really summed it up, "She Believes in being unapologetically GREAT." A lesson I continue to work on and one I was proud to support.

Another highlight for me was meeting the 2020 SheBelieves Hero, Semahj Ware, a volunteer at Operation Breakthrough in the Culinary Arts Lab, the largest early learning center in the Kansas City region helping at-risk children. I painted a portrait of her and got to give it to her in person! She's truly an inspiration. Learn more about the amazing work she's doing for her community and why she was chosen to represent the SheBelieves Cup, here.

Thank you to USWNT for hosting this amazing event and letting me be a part of it

Having had no idea what would transpire in 2020 in the weeks to come, I'm forever grateful for this experience to connect with my family IRL, amplify women supporting women, and to witness the powerhouse USWNT embody unapologetic greatness.

Check out the poster design I created. Attendees were writing on the backside prompt. P.S. This poster isn't for sale at this time (sorry!)