I have had a love of art since childhood and began painting with oils in high school.  I grew up in Virginia where I earned Bachelor degrees in Painting and Graphic Design from Mary Baldwin College.  In 1999, I moved to Washington State, where I earned an Associate of Applied Arts in Animation Art and Design from the Art Institute of Seattle.  Over my lifetime, I have worked as a graphic artist and web designer, and I currently focus on oil painting and mixed media art.  I also volunteer at the Kirkland Arts Center and teach private lessons.

For me, art is a link to an emotion.  When I paint a tree, I am not attempting to paint an exact replica of that tree; I am trying to capture the feelings I had when I first saw it. I try to focus on the elements that evoke a certain emotional memory.  That might be the color of the water, the texture of the bark, or the way that light highlights a surface.

In my abstract work, I focus on presenting the interaction of shapes, lines, and texture in a way that makes the viewer want to look closer. These elements are created with a variety of mediums, which include chalk and oil pastels, acrylic paint, ink sprays and cut or torn papers.

Most of my paintings are inspired by the things I see while traveling with my husband. The shapes, textures, and colors grow out of the moments in my life that speak to my soul. As you view my art, I hope that it speaks to you.