There is nothing but chaos in my mind…
work, family, friends, obligations, appointments, meetings, house, car, bills, money, daydreams, questions, memories...too many things pulling me in too many directions. But then, I pick up my camera, and everything goes blissfully quite. There is nothing but that moment, the beauty around me. It is only when I have my camera in my hands that I can truly and completely enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature around me.

1996 began my appreciation and love of photography when I registered for a basic B&W class my second year of college. I never used a SLR before and knew nothing about it. I had never liked taking pictures, and I don't know why I ever signed up for the class, but I fell in love quickly. I went on to take advanced B&W, color, and PhotoShop classes. While in college I got a job as the Lab Manager for Ritz Camera & went on to work for Michaels Crafts as a Custom Framer. When creating work for shows and exhibits, I custom print, mat, and frame each piece myself.

I have always enjoyed being outside. As I grew up, I spent my summers on the beach or knee deep in bay mud in Strathmere, and camping with the Girl Scouts or hiking club the rest of the year. As I got older, I was able to explore more on my own and so far I have had the enormous privilege of being able to travel to 18 states, numerous national & state parks, & 2 foreign countries. Photography is another way for me to enjoy nature, whether in my backyard or thousands of miles from home.

But before I fell in love with photography, there was jewelry & bead making. I can remember sitting about as a child making friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss, making beads out of clay and paper, and stringing shells for necklaces or earrings. As nature has always been a huge part of my life, it is most often reflected in the designs and projects I create.

Now a days, when I am not in a tent somewhere in the woods or kayaking through the intercostal waterways, I can usually be found beading, crochet or knitting, wood burning, working with clay, wire, plastic, glass or metal, painting, sewing, designing, up cycling, tatting, bead making...the list goes on & on. With any luck it will keep going and growing as I enjoy learning new ways to express myself and sharing those passions with others. Next on the list is stained glass...I might need to find a way to create more time.

Currently (for a steady paycheck & to help finance my passions) I also work for NJ Audubon, a state-wide non profit organization that fosters environmental awareness and a conservation ethic among the public and is dedicated to the conservation, protection, & preservation of the environment and wildlife.