to San Francisco, California and found a state that I now call home. When I moved here my world opened up and I felt the freedom to pursue my dreams and live openly as my true self.

In 1989 I began painting with oil and was instructed and mentored by Jean Henry an Impressionist artist. She inspired and encouraged me to paint from the gut and let the color flow. She told me that I was a true colorist and had a talent for creating vibrant works. I created a piece that I titled 'Natures Path', and I told my mother that this piece gave me the conviction and confidence to call myself an artist. She told me that I always was, but had to find it out for myself. She kept an acrylic painting that I painted when I was 8 or 9 framed and hanging in her vanity wherever she lived. When she passed away, I took that painting as my one true treasure and a memory that she always believed in my creative talents.

I met Arthur Evans a professional fine artist while studying with Jean Henry. I quickly became friends with him and began taking private instruction from him in his San Francisco Studio. He continued with me on my Impressionist path, but added figure and portraiture to the mix. He was and still is a great form of inspiration for me as an artist. When we get together to this very day, we still find time to paint together and encourage one another, just as we have over years past.

In 2012 after returning from a two and a half month stay in Europe, Greece, and various other art filled destinations, I took a Workshop at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The workshop was called 'Creative Painting', with Kwok Wai Lau. So, in February 2012, I truly began to throw myself into abstract art, rather then dabble in it. Lau has been my mentor for the past 6 months, here it is February 2013 already, another year has past. He comes to my studio to view my most current work and discuss my direction and process. We have very open, honest and frank dialog about what he sees within my paintings. He has gone so far as to tell me to gesso over a piece that he felt was decoration and not art. He pushes me to new depths and causes me to challenge what I think I know, delving further into the profoundness of my medium.

I currently live full-time in Palm Springs, California with my husband Rhet, our dogs (Bond and Max) and our cat Buddy. And my journey happily continues.. .