I was born at Offett Air Force Base, Nebraska in 1953. My Dad was 1st in the Navy then became a career Air Force firefighter. We moved a lot, even to Okinawa, Japan. When my Mom became ill I was placed in the Masonic Children's Home in St. Louis, Mo. where I lived for 4 years. When my Dad got a hardship discharge from the Air Force he took the family to Fontana, Ca., where I went to Fontana High School . I had a small studio in the back room of my parents antique store. I painted and tended the store on weekends.We moved to Simi Valley, Ca. my junior year where I graduated from Simi Valley High School. After 2 children and a divorce, I went to Pittsberg State University for one year then moved to Kansas City, Mo. I worked and went to art school at the Kansas City Art Institute on scholarships, grants & loans. I finished my BA at Cal State Stanislaus, my teaching credential from National University. Before starting to teach at Bear Creek High School, in Stockton, Ca. I took workshops through out California. I studied at St. Marys Art Center in Virginia City, Nevada. I studied under Dale Laitinet, Delores D'Dharr and Ziggy Zancowski. I also to Plein Aire workshops from Charles Movalli, Edward Norton Ward and Albert Handell. I deeply admire Wayne Thiebaud's use of color and Chuck Close for his use of pattern and unbelievable determination to create. Both inspire me. I started my shop while I was teaching art at the high school full time and working on my M.F.A. in painting. I put it on hold realizing I needed to wait till I retired to really learn how to run an Etsy store. I would like to sell my paintings without leaving home, except trips to the post office, which I do frequently since I do not get mail delivered to my rural home. My days are caring for my garden, my fur babies and time with my paints. I prefer plein aire painting but when that is not possible I shoot my own photos to paint from.