Colorado is the place I was born. However, some of my years were spent in Southern California. The years in California included Junior High and High School, where I was working on my street smarts more than my academics.
My family was a creative one in both art and music. My grandmother had an especially strong influence on me. When I was young my grandmother would set up ‘still life’ subjects and give me charcoal and paper. She would cook, I would draw. She never failed to drop what she was doing to give advice or steer my attitude along the right direction. Life lessons were taught on those days and I didn’t even know that. She talked of my art, while instilling her wisdom. All of my life I have been able to refer to her life lessons. She taught that “We have to look at our mistakes as learning tools”, “Don’t expect perfection”, “most importantly be happy with where you are now, and remember we will be learning our whole life”.
I now live in my husband’s home state of Virginia. Here we have raised two wonderful and independent daughters. They have been and always will be the light of our lives. Today we live with a Norwich terrier, Carly. Being the Terrier that she is, she makes sure she is also the light of our eyes.
Besides painting, my other favorite things in life are my husband, family and friends. Quilting has always been a huge part of my life, and there is nothing better that seeing a loved one wrapped up in one of my quilts. (I can also thank my grandmother for my sewing skills). My husband and I love to spend time in the Colorado Rockies with our dog. Jim hikes and fishes, I paint.
