I always joked that I had a short attention span and needed two different creative directions to stay happy. In actuality, I had to narrow my field down from hundreds of directions to just two, pastel and clay. It was a matter of time, space, and investment. I chose pastels after sharing this glorious material with my second graders. Their imaginations inspired me. I was required to teach clay and had to learn the specifics quickly, having earned my BFA in two dimensional art. I was hooked, the minute I discovered the versatility of the medium.
Over the years and through the “woods” my pastels have documented my life’s most memorable experiences and emotions. Symbols of my family and friends dominate my subject matter. Titles become inside stories, describing purpose. I prefer images in nature instead of portraits, to expand my audience; hoping that others may feel a connection and find their own joy.
Countering my more serious paintings, my clay pieces empower me to broadcast my love of whimsy and laughter. Every piece begins and ends with the intent to elicit a smile. The whimsical poses, colors, and unique functions work together in promoting life’s lighter side. A professor once scolded me on my use of color “right out of the tube;” colors that were too direct and lacked muted subtlety. Fortunately, I learned to “mute” his comments in order to express who I am.

I had the best job in the whole world. Before retiring in 2019, I taught high school and elementary children how to love and revel in their art. Needless to say, they taught me more than I expected. Nothing compares to a child’s fearlessness and passion for their creations. I now spend my days in the company of my four grandchildren and professionally developing my artistic messages.