Born into a family of creatives, I've had a permanent marker, acrylic paint, (and even a jar of rubber cement!) in my hand ever since I could hold them. As I grew, I continued to create and study art. I went on to further my studies at SUNY New Paltz, where I studied art education and received a BFA in Graphic Arts. Life has led me down a path to become a muralist, a painter, a teaching artist, a crafter, a creator with clay, a jewelry maker, a whimsical cake designer (just to name a few!), and a mother.

As an only parent of a son, two orange tabby cats, and a dog who believes he is a cat, working as an artist has been ideal because I have been able to create my own hours and explore many creative adventures. I'm happiest when I'm involved in an interesting project that takes me down an undiscovered path. For that reason, my art can vary greatly in style and medium. Throughout the body of my work, the common thread is the love of color, texture and a bit of fun.

In recent years I have been fortunate enough to work with numerous children making amazing murals in schools as a teaching artist. Many of the murals have been combinations of pictures the children have made out of cut paper. The papers they use are painted by them using a variety of brushes and tools, from combs to the wheels of a toy car. It is a method I have adapted from the children’s picture maker, Eric Carle. After the children have carefully cut and assembled their art out of the many colorful papers they made there is always an abundance of tiny snips and pieces left over. Most would simply sweep them up and toss them into the trash, but beyond the fact that I hate to waste, I can not help but see the beauty in each little piece. It is this colorful pallet of bits and pieces I use to create my most of my artwork.

It was also through my teaching that I discovered how much I love clay. Clay fish and sea creatures created by over 150 kindergarteners were adhered onto a coral reef background which I painted for a large Under the Sea mural. This colorful mural is still one of my favorites. After that I began playing around with clay myself until one day a little bird smiled back at me. I fell in love and my happy little birds were born. I made them for the staff a bereavement center which is close to my heart, I made them for family, I made them for friends, then I made them for craft fairs. Each and every bird I make brings joy. To me that is what creating is all about.

So after twenty plus years of people telling me, 'You should sell that!' I'm finally doing it! I want to share my little birds with everyone. To share them beyond my local community, I created this shop.

Each piece is created with love, recycled/repurposed materials and some of natures small treasures I find as walk my pup, Mr. Peanut in the woods and on the shores of the magnificent Hudson River in New York. I let each one “speak” as to how they want to be made, therefor everyone is wonderfully unique. Keep this in mind when you order, but be assured each one is special.

I hope you enjoy my art and I'm excited for you to have a happy little bird too!