"Bright, cheerful and gouache" have been some of the descriptive comments of my work,
which is primarily illustration.

Profoundly deaf as a result of a high fever at the age of 14 months, I have never shied
away from new challenges. Having learned to read lips and speak very well from a
young age, I chose not to learn to sign until the age of 40. The strengthening of my
other senses as a result of my hearing loss has played a great part in enhancing my
artistic talent. I am profoundly aware and observant of the beauty and nature
surrounding me.

Born and raised in Oakland, California I eventually migrated east, stopping in Colorado
for several years while I raised my family, and finally settled in Maine. Each place has
supplied a bounty of artistic inspiration, as well as opportunity, for me.
In1971 I took a job working in-house at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri for
4 years, after which I worked another 4 years freelancing for Hallmark, while raising my
twin sons and daughter. I went on to work in-house for Current, Inc. in Colorado
Springs, Colorado for nearly 17 years. Since 1996 I have been freelancing for various
publishers such as Abbey Press, Allport Editions, American Greetings, Child's World,
DaySpring, Gibson, Oxford University Press, Landoll, Standard Publishing, Marcel
Schurman now known as Papyrus, Publications International Ltd., and several others.
While in Colorado I also had the opportunity to participate in some galleries and
exhibitions before heading to Maine.

I am a member of various art organizations such as the Center for the Maine
Contemporary Artists, Picture Book Artists Association, Maine Collective Illustrators, the
Graphic Artists Guild and SCBWI (Society for the Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators).

My creativity also extends into jewelry made of rocks, stones, seashells, coral and sand-
washed beach glass from the ocean, lakes and rivers of the Rocky Coast. I also make
magnets and pouches influenced by the Maine wilderness.
Exploring the world of arts and crafts is the very breath of life to me, inspiring and
motivating my soul to its full range of creativity.