I have been drawing since before I can remember... My very first memory is at 3 years old watching Sleeping Beauty in a big dark theater with my mom and dad. Before I started school, my art education began. Wonder Woman was on TV and I loved to make my mom draw Wondy over and over again (poor Mom!). I was fascinated by the image coming to life in front of my eyes. There must be a genetic component as all the women in my family are all considered to be "crafty women". We all have our artistic outlets ranging from quilting, cross-stitch, doily making, and wooden lawn ornaments to photography, drawing and painting.

When I was 7 years old, I was introduced to a comic book called “Elfquest” by Wendy and Richard Pini. Wendy’s work had such heart and beauty, and I strove to emulate my new hero. In junior high, I learned all about the “truly outrageous world” of Jem and the Holograms, and thought, AHA! Fashion design! I began to experiment with costume design, as well as still drawing the warrior princess or flower maidens. I always loved drawing the human figure. Supposedly, the human figure is the hardest thing to learn to depict, and for me, it was the most fun!

In high school, I got more serious about my art. I wanted very much to capture the human face and figure as correctly as possible. I also began to dabble with Prismacolor pencils, and created some works that still hang in homes today. I also got into comic books. Comic books were a significant step for me. Going to conventions and seeing other people doing art that they loved was a very important thing to see. The best part for me was having the opportunity a few years ago to meet Wendy and Richard Pini, and to thank her for all that her art has meant to me.

In 1995, two years out of high school, I decided to give college a miss and try life for a bit.

So after drinking the sometimes-bitter coffee of the daily grind, suddenly school seemed like a good idea! I reenlisted as a Computer Graphics major. I found Photoshop to be a fun new medium to work with, and became pretty darn good at it. After years, tears, joys and gnashing teeth I proudly received my BA in Studio Art with an Art history minor in 2003 from Augustana College. At Augie, I got back to basics and was exposed to REAL figure drawing, intaglio printmaking and sculpture. I learned to finally think beyond what was written on the page and to branch myself out-and SOAR!

One of my shining moments at Augie was when my 27 costume designs for the school play, “Picnic” were accepted and critiqued by the distinguished panel at the regionals of the American College Theater Festival.

Lately, as this website shows, my new favorite medium is Fluid Acrylics- I love the vibrancy of the colors, and how they wash over the paper as well. As this website continues to grow and expand, I’ll be sure to include other works of art in other mediums. I have always loved mythology and fantasy, and studying history to create my works. As time goes on, I hope to get better, to never develop a boring, tired style, and to make a respectable living doing what I love- Art.