Biography

My paintings begin with a leap of the heart and the imagination. I paint my inner rhythmns, the ones I dance to on the inside. Because I like to "surf" the wet page with pigments, the mediums of watercolor and liquid acrylics are my choice. Sometimes I pour, sometimes layer on wet pigments or do a consecutive buildup of glazes on surfaces textured with gels and oriental papers. I wait for images and meanings to emerge. Each painting evolves through many layers of discovery and development before I declare it “finished”.

My art studio/gallery looks out on an apple orchard with views of vineyards and mountains. Visitors are always welcome. Life in this beautiful Russian River country is a daily visual feast and contemplative setting, one which enhances the desire to paint.

What led me to choose painting as my form of self-expression? After many years of work as a counselor and social worker and then taking care of small children, I rediscovered my childhood love of drawing and painting and painting became my passion.

Over the years I've studied with nationally known painters such as Stephen Quiller, Cheng Kee Chee, Barbara Nechis, Karen Frey and many others.

For ten years I taught watercolor classes and workshops. My watercolors have been shown in one-person and group shows throughout the country. Commissions include illustrations for a children’s book, three years as Sonoma County Harvest Fair poster artist, and a featured painting for the Commonwealth Financial Network.

My daily practice of meditation has a profound influence on my art. I have also developed a practice of contemplative sketchbooking, which allows the inner voice to speak through color, image and word.