I am . . . and almost always have been an artist.  I am also a wife, mom, and grandmother to a pretty awesome family.

       My growing up years were spent in Urbana, Iowa.  My earliest memories were drawing from the Sunday funnies and always sketching.  High school found me in the art room as a student helper and winning a few awards, including Best of Show my senior year in the Conference Art Exhibit.  I attended Kirkwood after high school, taking classes toward a degree in art education.

        Life took me in a different direction, but I continued learning with classes in drawing, painting, and pottery.  Most of my working years have been spent in early education as a preschool teacher, daycare director, and a paraeducator, but always drawing and painting.

      Creating greeting cards and mixed media projects are now a part of my artistic journey.  Recently retired, I'm now able to be creative almost every day.  As a member of Vinton's Fine Arts Guild, my paintings were shown at the Lowes Art Center and currently are at the Virginia Gay Medical Clinic.  I have also submitted paintings in the Benton County Fair, bringing home first and second place honors.

         Art is a big part of my life.  It's something that I do to express myself; to get lost in; to escape; and have fun.  Painting, drawing, and creating, are part of me, a personal part of me.  Sometimes that part of me is hard to share.  But my hope is that what I create will bring emotion to those who see it, especially joy.