I knew from a very young age that I would be an artist. I have always had a love for people and animals and a desire to put these feelings on paper. My mom would tell you I was born drawing. I spent my childhood drawing every animal and family member on our Iowa farm. My parents were very encouraging, even when my drawings of horses looked like dogs. I have always loved art and intended to pursue my dream to be a full time artist. I discovered sometimes life takes a different turn and our dreams get sidelined for a while. I got married and had three wonderful children. I continued to draw but my children were my top priority. I have never regretted one minute spent with them.
After a few years I became a single mom and decided to go back to school. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree and later, a Masters in Psychotherapy. I love helping people but I still needed something more in my life. I needed to create art. I am now at a place in my life in which I can resume my art and live my dream.
Through the years I have been accepted into several juried shows and I have even won a few. I enjoy working with a variety of subjects but my preferred genre is portraits of people and animals. I have spent the last few years doing mostly commissioned work. I like working with several mediums but I have a passion for working with pastels. I love their beautiful colors and the immediate gratification you see when drawing on paper. They are ideal for rendering the beautiful soft fur of animals and the wonderful form of the human figure. Being one of the earliest mediums, pastels are as durable as they are beautiful.
I believe that everyone should have a passion for something and mine is to create meaningful art. I do not feel that I have chosen art but that art has chosen me. What a wonderful experience to live what you love.