Artist Bio
My father began teaching me how to draw before I entered kindergarten. I wanted to create a treasure map, and he showed me how to draw a lake with footprints going around the lake. My parents encouraged my interest in art, and my first art book was by John Gnagy.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s degree in Art Education, and continued my study of art with Annette LeSueur and the Atelier LeSueur in Minnesota. I taught art to middle school students in Cokato, MN. I moved to Florida in 2002 and was the Education Director at the Center for the Arts in Bonita. After two years, I was hired by Collier County Public Schools as the Fine Arts Coordinator overseeing the art and music programs.
I currently teach watercolors at the Norris Center. In the past, I also taught jewelry at the Center for the Arts Bonita, along with various programs at Naples Art Association. My primary source of inspiration is nature as it is always changing and presents constant challenges in capturing light, color and form. I paint in acrylic, pastel as well as watercolor. I create fused glass necklaces which are wire-wrapped.
In 2014 I was honored by the United Arts Council with their Stars in the Arts Award. I was also recognized as Minnesota’s Middle School Art Teacher of the year.
