I grew up in rural Colorado surrounded by pine trees and blue skies. The love of nature I found then has sustained me throughout my life, living in Colorado, New England, and now in Pennsylvania, where I moved in 2007.

I received a BA in English from the University of Colorado, which led to many years working in printing and publishing. A college painting class had helped me rediscover my passion for art. I followed up with adult education drawing classes while working full time. Eventually, I enrolled in the Lyme Academy College of Fine Art to study fine art in the tradition of the masters. The wonderful teachers there helped give me the strong foundation I was seeking.

Following this training, my artwork became more realistic. I still like to draw, and I paint with oils, pastels, and acrylics. My favorite subject is still life, because I can create a new world in each painting. My goal is to use tangible things – color, value, texture, line, and shape – to evoke something intangible like a mood, a feeling, or a sense of beauty, as poets do with words. I think many artists strive for this.

Not long after moving here, I found the Beaver Art Group and the Beaver Valley Artists, or BVA. I also belong to the Cranberry Artists Network. I was the Secretary of BVA, and now I have been the President for over five years. These art groups have helped me grow as an artist, and as President of BVA, I hope to help others do the same as part of our group.