I was also an avid reader and particularly liked reading books about science and nature, history and stories about adventures and exploration. My room was crammed with books, rocks and art supplies. I was a member of the Des Plaines, IL Gem and Mineral Society and loved making jewelry out of some of the stones that I found. I taught myself how to make wire-work jewelry and used some of the stones I'd found in my creations.
In high school I took every art and science class that I could fit into my schedule. One of my drawings was chosen as a National Finalist in the Scholastic Art and Photography Contest in New York. |
I've been drawing and making things from before I can remember. My father was a professional photographer, my mother takes some of the best wildlife pictures I've ever seen. When I was young, my dad gave me a camera to play with that didn't work. I would draw pictures of what I saw and couldn't wait to take "real" pictures. No pen, pencil or piece of paper was safe at our house.
I spent a lot of time outdoors growing up, wondering at the shapes, colors and everything around me. I'd collect crystals, fossils, plants, feathers, animal bones, odd rocks, and just about anything from outside (My room was an adventure). I spent hours drawing things around me from the view at the lake to still-lifes in my room. I had a microscope, and drew things I saw through that. I got my first Instamatic when I was about 9 years old. I went out and took pictures of my friends and family, animals, birds and scenery when we went on vacation. |
"Picture Frames and Milk Jug" 1979
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"Self Portrait in lamp" 1977
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"Old House Place" 1979
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"The Eagle's Transformation" 1979
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After high school, I went to college and ended up with a BS in Accounting from Barat College, Lake Forest, IL. I got my CPA license and did taxes for almost 30 years, had my own practice, but I couldn't stop thinking about art. I would catch myself looking at how the light reflected off of something or the color of something and how I would paint it. I spent my free time making jewelry and beadweaving. With the variety and colors of beads available, my jewelry became like little paintings and sculptures that could be worn.
In 2011, I closed my office and started painting the mural on the garage wall. I wanted to do a Trompe l'oeil painting of the inside of an old barn. I finished painting it in October 2012.
I live next to Norfork Lake in Gamaliel, AR. We are surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Ozark Mountains. The woods and the wildlife are always just outside our door and provide the inspiration for the scenes that I paint. I want to share with others the beauty and history of this special place.
In 2011, I closed my office and started painting the mural on the garage wall. I wanted to do a Trompe l'oeil painting of the inside of an old barn. I finished painting it in October 2012.
I live next to Norfork Lake in Gamaliel, AR. We are surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Ozark Mountains. The woods and the wildlife are always just outside our door and provide the inspiration for the scenes that I paint. I want to share with others the beauty and history of this special place.