I am a Midwest artist located near Monticello Indiana. To date my greatest achievement, except for my three sons, is through all the changes of my life I have continued to create art. As an artist, in addition to the process of creating, I find enjoyment in producing something perhaps unexpected but meaningful to others. Most of my work over the years has contained some aspect of nature because that is the environment I find peace in.
How I did I get to where I am today? As a child, growing up in historic Irvington located on the East side of Indianapolis I wanted to be either an Olympic figure skater, or an artist and I found out early on just how difficult ice skating can be. I was fortunate to have parents who were avid fans of the arts. I recall, starting from a very young age, drawing on everything I shouldn’t have. But what kid hasn’t? I was encouraged to be creative by parents who actively enjoyed the arts and am thankful to them for sharing this love. I truly believe that I was meant to be an artist because of nature and nurture. I believe it is especially important in today’s world to nurture creative talent.
I majored in the arts at Thomas Carr Howe in Indianapolis. In 1982, my work ‘Samuel Hutchinson’ was chosen and entered by my art teacher James Lynch in the Scholastic Art Achievement Awards. I received a Gold Key Finalist award, and my work was exhibited in the Central Indiana Regional Exhibition to be judged for the National Exhibition. In 1984, I participated again with my print work ‘Red Apples’ and received an Honorable Mention.
During my Senior year of high school, I participated in weekend art classes at John Heron School of Art, Indianapolis. My portfolio was accepted, and I became a student at Heron. I only attended half a semester before dropping out because of a relationship that ended in marriage and later divorce. Throughout several abusive relationships, working full time and raising 3 boys. I attended college part time for an Associate’s degree in Human Services. Several years later I also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Trine (formerly Tri-State) University in 2010.
In 2011, I collaborated with my Mother, a columnist for 2 Indiana newspapers, to create drawings for a collection of her past work which resulted in a published book; “Ramblings – A Stroll Down Memory Lane with Henry David Thoreau.” In 2021, in memory of Mom, I published a ten-year anniversary edition of this book.
As a direct result of my life experiences and with the help of community members, I opened a 501(c)3 transitional home, TLC House Indiana, for battered women and their children in 2012. This was not the work I was meant to do the rest of my life. My husband and I relocated, and I became a licensed Realtor © in 2014.
In 2016, I had a wakeup call in the form of serious health issues and did a lot of inner exploring with ‘what will/would you miss the most’ and my answer, besides my loved ones, was the ability to sit in my studio and create. This is how I got to where I am today.
I have been following my path by creating and teaching art. In 2020 I became a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT) studying the Zentangle Method® under founders Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts. I have also done collaborations with my local Realtors® Association and am currently a member of the Monticello Arts Council, Arts Beat, a local organization dedicated to bringing the arts, artists, and the community together.