I was born to be an artist- I just didn’t know it until in my 39th year when Cancer took over my life and took the use of my right hand for over a year.  While taking treatments 350 miles from home I was introduced to an art class.  I wedged the paint brush between my fingers and taped it in and forged on and painted my first masterpiece in oil.

​

After 3 years I changed medias while taking a Rose Edin watercolor workshop.  Her colors were intense and totally awesome.  I was hooked on watercolor!  After several years of taking workshops from accomplished watercolorists such as Rose Edin, Karlyn Holman, Karen Vernon, Ken Hosmer, Doug Walton, Kathy Goodale, Don Dernovich, Tony Couch and Sheila Parsons, and  painting, painting, painting, between workshops,  I began teaching workshops.  Teaching has become my greatest learning tool.   I must always go back to my education to come up with answers.  I have taken bits and pieces from each workshop and turned them into my own style. 

​

My art life has taken me far from Nebraska.  I taught for 12 years in the Virgin Islands and recently took a group of mid-westerners there to paint on location.  I also taught at the International Arts Festival in Anguilla, BWI.  I have traveled to England, France, Switzerland, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Ireland and Greece to paint on location.  I am inspired by the colors of my life and put them on paper so you can also experience them.

​

When I return home, I love to teach my “Fun with Color” classes for cancer survivors.  We meet weekly where we learn to paint, love, laugh, inspire and enrich each other's lives.   I have been blessed with several awards for volunteering including the First Lady of Nebraska Outstanding Community Service Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteer Service,  the City of North Platte Cody Scout Award for Community Service, the Nebraskaland Days Best of the West Dale Studley Award for volunteerism and the Mid Plains Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.   I was also nominated for the Governor's State Art Award.

​

I have also received several awards for my work to advance the arts locally, and statewide. My paintings are in collections from France to California and Canada to Anguilla.  I am proud to have a painting aboard the USS Nebraska Submarine.  One of my motorcycle paintings graces the backs of many Harley Davidson riders.   I have also been fortunate to sell two paintings while having an art show in first class on an airplane.  My first show in the Virgin Islands was in conjunction with a concert featuring Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops String Quartet.  My biggest coup was to sell three paintings while having dinner in the Louvre in Paris.  Wow, what a great life!

​

I have a wonderful support system starting with my husband and kids, friends and community.

​

The gift of painting healed my heart and my hand and opened my life to new adventures at home and around the world.

​