Thank you for taking the time to check out my artwork. It encompasses years of living in the Virgin Islands and traveling to tropical locations which I became passionate about when flying for Eastern Airlines years ago.

My love of the bright colors of Nature, turquoise waters, and sunny cerulean blue skies is evident in my palette's preference for the many shades of blue and green.

Also, my images are perfect for those of you who decorate with the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Florida Gulf Coast in mind.

I also have Sacred Art themed images which reflect my desire to portray
the many beautiful teachings of our world. My "We Are All Connected " series is closest to my heart as it represents the traditional Native American teachings to honor Nature and all sentient beings. I create them with harmony, symbolism; balance of color and design for those who want spiritually inspiring artwork.



ABOUT ME

My lifelong passion to express myself as an artist has led me down many paths. My passion began in my home state, Minnesota, then on to the Virgin Islands, the tropical paradise which I like to remember as my "thawing out and learning to chill out" time of my life, to my current paradise, Southwest Florida, where the flora, fauna and beaches inspire me daily.

Sojourn highlights include my own art boutique at Mt Top, overlooking Magen's Bay in St. Thomas, in the mid eighties. For over twenty years I had enjoyed exploring and mastering batik, a centuries old Javanese craft, which entails painting on natural fabrics with melted beeswax and cold-water dyes. Using this ancient technique I filled my boutique with batiked and hand-painted clothing from hats to bustiers to silk scarves along with tropical bird and flower batik paintings. All inspired by my newfound love of the Caribbean and its tropical foliage which I had traded for Minnesota's 10,000 lakes and pine forests.

After my move back to the States I wholesaled my wearable art line to upscale boutiques on the Gulf Coast, including Naples, Sanibel Island and Fort Meyers Beach. During this time I also batiked a series of tropical women paintings in tribute to my years in the Caribbean. Nicki Butcher, the daughter of Clyde Butcher, photographer, contracted/licensed these images for her Window of the Eye resort clothing line which she marketed and sold internationally using New York's Javit Center.

I have been a gallery artist also since the late 70's when I had my first gallery representation at the Tamarack Gallery Stillwater, MN where they sold my first batik paintings. Since that time I have been in galleries in St Thomas, Naples, Sanibel Island, Boca Grande, and Sarasota. Although I still love the batik process I now prefer to paint with watercolors and acrylics.

Supporting local charities has been important to me throughout my career, starting with the Montessori school in St. Thomas. Since then I have donated my artwork or time to charities that benefit abused people and animals which includes Charlotte and Sarasota County Humane Societies, the Florida Conservation Society, Collier County Shelter for Abused Women, Hurricane Katrina Atelier Gallery Auction, Sarasota's Sunrise Chapter of ABWA, and the Sarasota Chapter of Baby Basics.