The Early Days
I was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. Growing up at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, I had two great influences which shaped my visual language. First, my mother opened her eyes each day to the natural world and wove magic as a storyteller. Second, I was blessed to have elementary school teachers who took time daily to read stories aloud to my class, stimulating our imaginations.

The College Years
In the 70's I moved to Hawaii to study art at the University of Hawaii. I immersed myself in a melting pot of culturally disparate influences, not only from Hawaii and throughout the Pacific Rim, but also from India, the Middle East, Africa and Mexico. I loved being the anonymous 'white-girl-observer' and the myths of the blended cultures still motivate my paintings today. The rich, visual language of these influences evoked my search for a personal style of self expression.

Return to Utah
While teaching art, I continued to paint part time. In 1998, I received my BFA in painting and drawing from the University of Utah. After graduating, I spent a year as a volunteer arts facilitator for the Trauma Awareness and Treatment Center in Salt Lake City, working with child and adult survivors of severe trauma. From that experience emerged an appreciation for the role of art in healing through dreams and the unconscious, which further informed my art.

Still Painting and Loving It
Since then I have shown in annual one-woman exhibits, invitational group shows, and competitions along the Wasatch Front. I have enjoyed exhibiting at Springville Museum of Art, Pioneer Theatre Company, Terra Nova Gallery, Eccles Community Art Center, Patrick Moore Gallery and the Bountiful/Davis Art Center.