Then in the 6th grade, I won a prestigious award for a drawing of our family cat. However, thinking that everyone possessed similar talent, I only took a few basic art classes upon completion of high school, going on instead to study Education/ Math and English. I taught at the high school level for several years, married and raised a daughter, was in business and eventually earned my M.A. in Psychology. Since art was not my main focus during all this time, I had to find other ways to express my creativity. I developed patterns and made rugs, specialty cakes, snow sculpture, clothing, etc. I painted with acrylics, sculpted and enjoyed my own dark room.

After a particularly challenging time, I drew a portrait of my much-loved dog Bubbles that had just died. Drawing her picture was such good therapy that I began drawing friends’ special companions. This gave both the pet ‘parents’ and me so much joy that I vow to always use this special gift for healing, with gratitude not only to Bubbles’ influence but to the spiritual Source of this creativity. Carving portraits of pets on custom wooden urns for those who have lost their pals has been a natural progression of this desire.

Combining my deep love for animals with this talent and spiritual consciousness, I find great fulfillment in my artwork. My specialty seems to be being able to look at a living creature and capturing its very essence using just about any medium, even some sculpture and wood carving. My portfolio contains not only portraits in pencil, ink and scrimshaw of pets but also of children and adults, all kinds of wildlife including the predator cat, eagles, and even historical buildings. I have done freelance logos, cartooning, and book illustrating. Note cards, stationery, T-shirts, caps and prints artwork have all been adorned with my artwork. My work is collected world-wide and has been shown in Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, California, South Dakota and Nebraska. Many publications have featured my scrimshaw such as most recently, The Eggshell Sculptor, also The American Craftsman Originals Unlimited, The Whalebone and Two editions of The Scrimshaw Connection. Paul Harvey and Willie Nelson have pieces of my scrimshaw in their collections. Newspapers in Arizona, Nevada and Nebraska have published feature articles about my various art forms. I’ve even been on TV! Click here to read what people are saying!

In August of 1996, I was led to freelance drawing of patterns for all types of eggshell carvers, discovering an affinity for the carving myself. Consequently I went on to create life-like images on all types of eggshells, especially emu and ostrich. I make both types of shells into lights, which dramatically enhances the carving, virtually bringing it to life.

I still love to travel, taking time to participate in select shows and favorite charities along with private showings of my artwork. This allows me to share my gift and anything else that I have learned along the way that might help others experience a similar feeling of fulfillment, appreciation and love for life.

Please come back and visit very soon!