Welcome to my art world!

All aspects of my life- personal, professional and artistic- are full of exciting changes and opportunities!

-First, my graduation from a natural resource career to full-time artist is planned for early 2009.

-Second, we have begun the process to remodel our Central Oregon property into a full time residence and studios.

-Third, I've been experimenting again (still) with different mediums. I'm collaborating with pine-needle basket maker Kim Black, from Pleasant Hill, on gourd vessels. Check out a sample in the Show Preview Gallery. We'll have a full selection at the art festivals, either in my booth, or in Kim's Beaver Meadow Baskets. We think they are cool and hope you do too!

I'm headed back to SW Colorado this summer to work more with master ceramic artist Clint Swink to learn more about traditional wood-fired, hand built ceramics. My clay projects are not ready for prime time, but I look forward to having both time and space, and a wood-fired trench kiln next year.

I've created art since I was a small child. While painting and drawing remains the core, I continue to explore many creative paths. My art training has been small group evening classes, and art workshop-filled vacation time. I graduated with a BS in Geography and started my Forest Service career as a cartographer and graphic designer. I've participated in several group and gallery exhibits, and am looking forward to showing at a number of Oregon events this year. My Crazy for Cats series is also represented at Expressions Gallery, Bandon, OR.

I am drawn to the colors, energy, and connectedness of all things, and try to capture this in my work. Different themes come out depending on what medium I use. My pastels are vibrant and realistic. My mixed media (acrylic, watercolor and pastel) tend to be whimsical and more and more, involve cats. My collage pieces are abstract, but often infer a landscape I have experienced. My "Rock Art" Panels, and Kim's and my gourd vessels evoke a Native American spirit. The ceramics are replicas of SW Anasazi pottery, both in form and construction. While I continue to experiment, you will see the common threads in my art: a passion for bright color, a love for wide open spaces, a reverence for indigenous art and culture, and if you are so inclined, an expression of my spiritual side.

May you enjoy a creative journey!