I have painted since I can remember. Watercolors of my dog in the backyard creek, drawings of my grandmother, doodles of houses trees and flowers. All the things that children innately love to do and create. As I got older art remained a treasured part of my life. Although I was primary supporter of my children (who are fabulous artists in their own rite) by selling of all things elevators – there was always a painting tucked into a corner of my office, study, or bedroom over the years calling me each night to do what I love most – painting. Now that my children are on their own and incidentally supporting themselves through their own art, I have the freedom to finally explore my own passion and paint each day no longer in a corner, but in my studio – living my bliss.

My process usually starts from a photo or plein air session. The photos consist of pictures that inspire me - many from personal photos or photos from friends. Old Italian women sitting on a bench waiting for the bus, exquisite reds and yellows of a sun sinking into the ocean, a Blue Heron poised for flight, a Koi pond glittering with the oranges and yellows of their flashing skins, an eagle soaring through the air as a red winged blackbird courageously stalks him from behind – these are some of my favorites. I begin with a layout of shadows, lights and patterns of color, then begin layering the paints, building the colors and richness until I am satisfied with the likeness I am creating.  I relish in colors that speak to me of deep oceans and lush fields, and skies that project the azure blue of summer and the cobalt blue of winter. I am enthralled that when you paint the shapes of shadow and light, images form of faces, meadows and fruit. And at the end of the painting when I lay in the darkest of the darks and the brightest of the whites, that picture comes alive and the spark of creation is touched by what comes out of my hands.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."               - Thomas Merton