Biography - Before retiring in 2023, I had a long and diverse career as a physical therapist, PT assistant professor, professional opera singer and opera company Executive Director, and as a volunteer art appreciation teacher and coordinator of "Art Smart" in Florida and Texas at my children's elementary schools. Born and raised in the South (Florida and Georgia), I lived all over the US and Germany before moving to southern Oregon in 1999 and then Olympia in 2019.
Artist Statement - Art has been a constant thread throughout my life, expressed through drawing, ceramics, dance and choreography, singing across genres (rock, spiritual, and classical), as well as sewing, needlework, interior and graphic design, acrylic painting, and creating vibrant floral arrangements.
During the COVID lockdown, I discovered a deep passion for watercolor, immersing myself in multiple intensive schools, academies, and courses. I continue to refine my skills by studying with master artists who bring diverse approaches to realistic painting. My influences include Canadian Artist Carol Evans, my teachers Tracy Lizotte, Krysztof Kowalski, Bradley Hendershot and Jessica L. Bryant and the timeless work of masters such as Andrew Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, François Millet, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
My creative journey is shaped by a rich tapestry of life experiences, reflected in watercolors that emphasize strong design and realism. Living between a freshwater pond in my front yard and Puget Sound behind my home—surrounded by flowers, gardens, fruit trees, pollinators, and wildlife—provides endless inspiration. My work captures the essence of this environment and invites viewers into a journey of discovery through my unique perspective. I enjoy connecting with art lovers and sharing the stories behind my paintings, and I hope my work brings others the same joy I felt in creating it.
Affiliations - I’m a member of the Olympia Art League, Northwest Watercolor Society, the Puget Sound Group of Northwest Artists and the Peninsula Art League.
Honors - My first Art Competition entry “Puffins on the Edge” won 3rd place at the 2024 juried Thurston County Fair Art Show Watercolor Division. My painting “Midwinter Morning” was accepted into the Power of Color Juried Art Show and Exhibit at the Fogue Studios and Gallery in Seattle in spring 2025. I was accepted into the 2025 Juried Bellevue Art Museum Summer Arts Fair, the largest Arts and Crafts show in the Pacific Northwest. In December 2025 my watercolor "Point Wilson Lighthouse was accepted into the 2026 Collective Visions Juried Art Show. 130 pieces were selected from 700 entries. I was accepted into the 2026 Peninsula Art League Juried Summer Festival.
