Art has always been part of me. I traveled extensively for the first 18 years of my life. My father was in the military and through our travels I was exposed to many cultures. My mother was primary in always taking me to museums, theaters, gardens and anything of cultural interest in the different places we lived. I find to this day my life in Japan probably formed the foundation of my art most extensively. My art has always given me a place of peace something that I could always turn to when I needed to find my center. Teaching is also a great joy where I gain inspiration from the students and enjoy watching their own skills grow.
My formal art education began at The School of Visual arts in NYC. I received my BS with an art major in a small college in the midwest called Lindenwood College. I returned to NYC and tried my hand at illustration and then became a graphic designer. I received my certification as a botanical artist from the New York Botanical Gardens in 2005.
I have been teaching Botanical Art since 2004. I have taught at Lasdon Arboretum and Ward Pound Ridge Reserve. I occasionally offer workshops at The Katonah Art Center, and The New York Botanical Gardens. In the summer I give workshops in Nature Journaling.
Most recently I have returned to oil painting and enjoy painting and teaching small workshops in Plein Air Painting.
