Hello!

I'm a lifelong artist who was fortunate to have been bitten by the travel bug at an early age, having lived in Neuchâtel, Switzerland during three years of my childhood. Upon returning to the States, my family settled in Portland, OR where I lived for nearly 20 years and earned my Bachelor's degree in French. After several years of working in the hospitality industry, I embarked on my first big solo backpacking trip around the Mediterranean and Europe. I then settled in Montreal, QC to pursue studies in Illustration beginning this fall (2018)!

When I'm not busy plotting destinations or rushing to catch a bus-train-or-aeroplane, I can typically be found drawing and painting, playing my ukulele, writing in my diary, or with my nose deep between the pages of a smelly old paperback or magazine. My dream is to work independently as a freelance illustrator, graphic novelist, tattoo artist, and translator. Samples of my artwork can be seen on Facebook or Instagram @acclimatedarts... you can also watch me kill the ukulele on Facebook @thejukalady.

I always look forward to seeing how this community bridges gaps between myself and others, and hope to meet you one day soon!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Mostly surf, occasionally host, always interested in meeting up if I have the time.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I first heard of couch surfing when a circle of friends hosted a Brazilian artist back in 2009. The concept was at once daunting and liberating. While finishing my Bachelor's degree, I started surfing initially to visit some art schools, and eventually for the pure pleasure of discovering places I'd never been and meeting other spirited travelers along the way. During my last months at university, while I had a spacious apartment with a couch to offer, I started hosting short-term travelers to pass on the favors bestowed upon me.

Unfortunately my current apartment is much to small to host anyone at the moment, but it is my goal to eventually be able to open my doors to other travelers once more.

Interests

art; traveling; writing; language; literature; theater; movies; music; astrology; tarot; chakras; dancing; rock-climbing; hiking; bicycling; food.

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:

Roman Holiday
In Bruges
Babe
There Will Be Blood
Ghost
Dazed and Confused
l'Auberge Espagnole

Music:

Valerie June
Chris Pureka
Fleet Foxes
Gorillaz
Metric
Massive Attack
Phantogram
ODESZA

Books:

Harry Potter
The Chronicles of Narnia
Jane Eyre
Heart of Darkness
Farewell Navigator
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Fugitive Pieces

currently reading: Labyrinth

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Floating in the Dead Sea!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some basic drawing skills and ukulele chords, or help you practice your French! I love learning new skills, and am particularly interested in learning new dance moves and how to spin poi!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would be grateful for access to a kitchen, and more than happy to share meals with you! Of course, next to food, life is about the stories you have to tell, so I look forward to exchanging our travel tales as well. Finally, I am happy to offer some art--be it a caricature, portrait, or sketches from my visit with you--or tunes on the ukulele if desired.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Switzerland, United States