Animals of all description have fascinated me since childhood, just ask my mother. Caring for a menagerie throughout my life has enabled me to accurately portray them on canvas. I marvel at the diversity of emotions that animals feel and strive to depict that with brush and paint.

My greatest goal as an artist is for my work to be a testimony to the amazing skill of the Creator, who has my growth personally and as an artist in His hands. Our partnership in all my work brings me great joy and is my utmost privilege. As I journey my path as a woman I am ever grateful for the discoveries He has helped me to make. It leaves me breathless to think where I have yet to go and to think of future adventures and discoveries and how they will affect my art.

All of this brings me to my current passion, the world of the modern-day cowboy. Using the tools of perspective, strong light, and atmosphere. I’m challenged to set the stage for telling the tale of their way of life. There exists a balance between the hardships they endure and the joys they are privileged to experience. To be sure it is a tough life full of honest, hard backbreaking work. I strive to tell the tale in my paintings of these struggles and the joys that are theirs as well. Wide open spaces, amazing mountains, the incredible relationship between cowboy and his horse, and the satisfaction at the end of the day of a job well done.

Creating for me doesn’t begin or end with oil on canvas. I enjoy sculpting, metal tooling, stained glass, woodworking, whole room murals, as well as faux finishes on walls and ceilings.

I am thankful for the gift of an eye for the art in all that is around me. Furniture can be artfully arranged, gardens composed and planted to create an impact. All of this carries over to my work on canvas. Composition elements, technique and execution of a painting require
devotion to telling the story behind it. Setting, the scenes, creating a mood are important elements that have evolved from painting every detail photographically to taking a more impressionistic approach. I am challenged to have the viewer sit a spell and imagine the story that each painting trying to tell.

Born in Witchita, Kansas, in 1958, I grew up a tomboy and developed my love of animals from catching, playing with, and caring for just about every kind of animal imaginable.  I moved around as a child from a Pennsylvania community to the lonestar state of Texas.  It was in Texas that I began selling handcrafted works of art after marrying the love of my life upon graduation from high school.  Five children later, my husband and I made our way to Arkansas to raise our family, and in the process, I made the career transition from wallpapering, to faux wall and ceiling finishes, to painting on canvas.

I am completely self-taught artist, with the exception of a few advanced classes at the Savannah Art College in Savannah, Georgia. One thing I definitely am "not" is the type of person to dress in corporate attire and work in a 9-to-5 office environment.  For me ... life is all about doing something creative with my own two hands!

For 30 years I have been married to Joe, who is my creative sounding board.  He generously offers plenty of support, ideas, feedback, and assistance.  And, being the driven personality that I am, that translates into a whole lotta love!

Located on 24 acres, home is a vintage 1970's countryside ranch house that doubles as inspiration and spacious spread for my work, and as a tranquil getaway for my eight silly and adorable grandchildren.  Sharing our country life with us are our beautiful horses, Kousa, Lace, and Bailey, who frequently provide subject matter for my work.

Date & Place of Birth: 2/27/58 & Wichita, KS

My Most Valued Asset Is: Drive, inordinate amount of determination

My Heroes Are: Veterans, good teachers, police officers, fireman

My Pet Peeves Are: Running out of bobbin when I'm sewing or socks that slip down into my shoes

My Favorite Indulgence Is: Time alone or riding my horses

If I Could Change One Thing About Myself I: Would make me more patient

I Get A Kick Out Of: My wonderful silly grandkids

My Favorite Food Is: Pizza

If I Had A Day To Do Anything, I'd: Paint all day in my pj's.

My Greatest Strength Is: Faith in God, unflinching optimism