I found my creative self at age three and started drawing my own stories. My room walls were
covered with all the pictures I had painted. I liked any subject that had a creative side to it,
whether I did it with my hands, body or voice. Why this was so, I don't know, but it took me into
many different directions, some stayed as interests and hobbies.
Painting and drawing lead the way, because I could talk to my inner self while working.
After high school, I thought that it might take a life time to be good enough at painting to sell my work.
Maybe I could make some jewelry to generate immediate money. I stared out doing wire and bead jewelry and
that grew into wanting to solder, cut and assemble. Jewelry took over for a while, but I wasn't done with
painting. I decided to create jewelry in the late fall through early spring and switch to painting from
late spring to early fall. The changing of mediums kept ideas fresh for me.
When my son, Orion, was born it turned out that he was autistic and had an ear for piano,
so my music interests became being his aid in playing the piano.
About ten years ago, I remembered a promise I had made to myself when I was in grade school,
about writing the story of my hamster, Hammy and sister's Siamese cat. It was worth sharing with the world.
That led me to taking writing classes, joining Western Washington's Society of Children's Writers and
Illustrators, and critique groups.
My creations showed what I felt and cared about in my life; a painted memory of where I had been, a jewelry idea about what I thought was beautiful, a story I wanted to keep, a person or animal I wanted to remember.
The world was an aquarium of underwater life just waiting to be harvested. I'm the vehicle and the only obstacle to overcome. Where there is a will, there is a way!
I've drawn, painted, sang, played the piano and violin, acted, sewed, knitted, water and snow skied, gardened, took pictures, made handcrafted jewelry, wrote and illustrated stories and books while we raised a family and I prayed. My only advice to you is be creative and do your heart's desire. I've been lucky enough to be an artist and still have a life style.
Resume -- Skills & Experience
Designs and handcrafts custom jewelry by fabrication, forging, chasing and fusing techniques
Works in silver,brass, copper, gold, plexiglass, with stones and beads and other natural materials such as wood, shells, fossils, marbles, tree pods and leather
Remodle and repairs jewelry
Journeyman jeweler: apprenticeship taken with Master Craft Ring Company
Writes and illustrates Children's books
Awards & Shows
Winner of 2 Gold Keys and Honorable Mention in Washington State art show for students 12-18
Northwest Painting Show
Juried show, Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, Bellevue, Washington attened seven times
Juried show, Bumpershoot attended twice
California shows: Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas
Displayed and sold at Panaca Gallery, Bellevue Washington; Sea Fantasies, Carmel, California; and the White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Edmonds Arts Festival juried painting show, many years
Bellevue Art museum Anual Art Show, 1995, pin set
Univerisity Street Fair, many times
Supplied jewelry accessories for Weekenders Fashion Show at the Westin Hotel
Sixth Biennial juried Exhibition Art to Wear in Yakima, WA
Ancient Grounds Gallery, 5 pieces "In your Own Image Show"
One women Show at Unity Church
Kirkland Art Center show, pin in "You Are what You Eat"
SMG's biennial Exhibition, many times
Art Splash with Artist Connect shows many times
Edmonds Studio Tour as guest artist many times
Poem published in SCBWI's spring newsletter 2008
Training & Education
Attended University of Washington - Art Major, studied painting and drawing
Attended Bellevue Community College - Jewelry Construction classes
Apprenticeship Program (8000 hours) Master Craft Ring Company - Master Jewelers Paul Hruschka and Gunter Zierlein teachers
Classes in business management and marketing at Jerry Stoltenberg's Personal Marketing Institute
Dressing to Win Seminar - Robert Pante' Salon Training
Art Docent at West Woodland Elementary School; training from Bellevue Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum
Institute of Children's Literature, beginning and advanced courses in writing
North Seattle Community Collage attend classes in Illustrating children's books
SCBWI Annual Writing & Illustrating Conference many times
Society of North American Goldsmiths Conference
Affiliations
District Democrats,Precinct commitee Person, Treasurer 10 Years, Elected 4 times as Delegate to Washington State Convention
Leads Club
Women's Business Exchange
Association of Fashion Image Consultants
North Seattle Community College Business Network
Unity Choir of Seattle
Seattle Metal Guild exhibition Chair 2009, board member from 2008 to 2012
ArtistsConnect
Western Washington Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
