I tell stories that look at the world through humor, curiosity, adventure, and love. If my stories draw you in and maybe even make you smile, I’ve done my job. If I get you to laugh, it was a total accident, but I’m super glad. While most of my stories have contemporary or science-fiction settings, I occasionally dabble in magic because I have a private fantasy of owning a magic wand that actually works.
Some random tidbits about me:
- I love the outdoors.
Hiking is by far among my favorite activities. I spend many hours writing outside as well. Around here, it is understood that If I don’t get outside at least once a day (most days it’s at least three times a day thanks to my dogs), I run the risk of turning into Baba Yaga. - I’m curious about nearly everything.
Seriously, I could fill up pages with all the things I enjoy doing. - I love drawing and painting almost as much as I love to write stories.
I’m currently building an art website to display my portfolio. When I’m not learning the craft of writing, I’m learning art techniques. - I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 25 years.
He is extremely supportive of my creative endeavors. - I homeschooled my kids from kindergarten through high school.
So far they are awesome adults and have some fantastic plans. - I love to travel and explore new areas.
I have five more states to visit before I can say I’ve stepped foot in all of them (mostly on the east coast). When travel resumes, I have plans to visit a few countries as well. - I read in every spare minute I have.
Most people I know have their cellphone on them at all times. I’m that way with my e-reader. Yes, I know I could read on my phone but the paper white setup is much easier on my eyes. I read about one to two books a week both fiction and non-fiction. I’ve learned the more I read, the bigger my reading pile gets.
About Me as an Artist
When I create, the world disappears and all that matters is what is before me. My goal is to create pieces that make you smile and feel energized or relaxed (depending on the piece). I love the complexities of color. It’s amazing how a simple change in a shade can evoke a completely different feeling to an art piece.
The funny thing is that before 2014, I truly believed that the only way I could create art was with a pencil. My attempts at colorful art never worked the way I wanted it to. I figured the only way I’d be able to create anything colorful was with Sculpey clay. Then I discovered an advantage of being a homeschool parent.
In 2014, I took an online acrylic painting class for homeschoolers with my kids. Not only did I discover I loved to paint, I learned I could actually make colorful art! While I’d love to say that I let my love of painting consume me, I am only human, and there were other things that took me away from art.
I’ve been working on my art again and feeling that deep stirring that I’m doing something I was meant to do. I’ve experimented with acrylics, watercolors, gouache, oils, pastels (both soft and oil), colored pencils, Inktense pencils, graphite, and watercolor pencils. I don’t have a favorite art medium at the moment. I enjoy the advantages and challenges that each art medium presents. I’m also a huge fan of variety. As long as it’s colorful, I’m happy.
