Artist Biography

---

Ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you, I am obsessed with art, crafts and the creative process. People often ask me why and when did I begin. As you will see, the why probably isn’t typical and the when is always. 

Even though my opportunities growing up were limited in formal experiences in art, I started my development as an artist at an early age through a model.

My mother, a daughter of a German immigrant with no formal art training herself but with a creative unafraid and can do attitude, was the best model I could have had.  

She taught me that with hard work and a “pioneering” spirit you can make beauty in your life from just about anything. You just have to work hard and try.  

For example, I came home from school one day to find her taking out a wall in our small very modest home, which they converted from an old small barn. She wanted to make it more spacious. So, I knew she could do anything!

She also demonstrated to me that you can make beauty in your world with whatever you have available. She lead by example, like when she painted all the used furniture in our home white and sponge painted gold paint on top. Or the time she hand scrubbed purple dye on my bedroom carpet because she knew I loved purple! 

I have been more involved formally with art for more than twenty years. 

Like my model, my mother, my motto is, “Just do it.” 

Like her, I try it all, unafraid! I’m always trying something new and wondering what would happen if...? I often have to return to my home studio late at night because I have been lying in bed thinking about what happened that day in my studio and then have to get up and write down my conclusions but most likely I start the new project right then! 

Like her, I too am fascinated with the use of color in my designs. Gold and purple, of course being my favorite color choices!

Like her, I use any available materials in my work. The fun and true spirit of my art comes through best when experimenting with many types of materials. 

Like her, I scrounge materials from every source. That includes art stores but also thrift stores, scrap yards, hardware stores, dollar stores and yes, even the dumpster. I surprised some workers at a metal cutting shop a few weeks ago, when I asked if I could have some scrap pieces in their garbage bins! I’ve also found some wonderful beginnings at granite warehouses and metal shops. You never know where art will lead you! 

Like her, I value hard work and learning. The learning and experimenting continue as a result of her influence and my natural curiosity and enthusiasm. 

 I continue to research art daily through books, classes, tutorials, and visitations. I experiment in my “laboratory” to learn more! On every vacation or trip and trip I’ve taken, I have arranged to learn about art and study with artists all over my local communities and the world. I’ve learned from people in my small town in Michigan, Santa Fe, Indonesia, Lake Como, Paris, Venice and small villages in Italy, just to name a few. I continue to watch tutorials, research on the internet and in books, take art classes, learn from friends and strangers alike. I am always ready to visit the next art gallery, museum, studio, or talk to the next available artist about their experiences. I am deeply indebted to my mom and to all the other people who have added to my background. 

I now work with glass, clay, gourds, paints, resin and metals.

I live in Arizona and Michigan with my tremendously supportive and helpful husband Ron, and our all too bright border collie, Journey.

We do many art shows in both states. My work has also been displayed in several galleries and stores in a variety of states.  I have a home art gallery and  studio in both areas. The gallery is available by appointment and at semi annual art showings. 

Contact me for dates of showings or an appointment to view my art and my studio.