I took several art classes in college early on, but could not afford to buy the supplies to work in oils or watercolor, so I stuck mainly to pencil. I took time out from drawing to raise a family, but was always involved in the arts in some way. Quilting caught my attention and I won several awards. Then came spinning and weaving and competitions in which I placed frequently. When my second daughter was in high school, she took an art class and prompted me to pick up some colored pencils and start to draw again. Not long after, I read a book by Mary Engelbreit in which she explained her process of creating drawings and decided that I too could do that. I was amazed at my first attempt, so I continued with pencils and markers for several years. Then, one day I decided to try watercolor and found it rewarding and frustrating at the same time. I have since taken several watercolor classes, but the majority of my skills have been honed through trial and error.

Shortly after that, I had an opportunity to go back to school and finish my Nursing degree. This was not the easiest thing to do in my early fifties, but I am always up for a challenge. I did not paint during the two and a half years it took to finish my degree. After graduation, I took a position as a nurse. While I worked I would see things that would make me want to pick up my brush again, until the desire was a burning within me. After several years working and painting part time, I started getting ulcers from the stress of nursing and was advised to quit. At first I was devastated, but then viewed this as an opportunity to really try painting full time. There is so much fulfillment and joy in it. What better way to spend my time than painting the things of Gods earth.