As an encaustic and mixed media artist Josie has enjoyed combining these art forms with book arts—where form, function and text can be seen in spheres of wax, poems in prescription bottles, hanging mobile gardens, handmade coiled basket of original poetry, or a tribute to art and artists. She believes that art has a wonderful ability to heal the soul and spirit and feels most alive and joyful when creating art. This process of creating is what is most important as ideas are sketched and planned, researched and experimented with until the project is complete. Josie’s art is influenced and inspired by designs and textures in nature and interest in science. She is a graduate of San Diego State University and the University of San Diego.