My first memories are of drawing in the dirt with a stick, but I quickly moved on to crayons. (They didn't work that well in the dirt so I decided to try paper instead.)
My parents were gracious enough to pay for a couple of years of private art lessons from the local kooky artist when I was a kid. For this I am forever grateful. By the time I reached college age I decided I knew it all. It took a few years to realize that knowing it all was not saving me from a life of waiting tables, so I finally got serious and ended up at Heron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis where I graduated with a BFA in Studio Arts with an emphasis on Painting and Drawing.
After trying my hand at various creative jobs I discovered VSA Indiana, an organization that provides arts education for children and adults with various challenges. Through the process of participating in their apprentice program, I learned the many ways that the experiences gained in teaching art can enhance an individual's life and work. I was hooked. I have continued to work with challenged adults through my job as a teacher in the adult art program at Wishard Hospital's Community Health Center.
In addition to my work for Wishard I currently teach two and three-dimensional art classes at Ivy Tech Community College as well as private lessons and workshops. I create my own work, take commissions and maintain a working studio. I am grateful each day that I am able to have a life creating art and sharing my skills and experience through teaching.
