Originally from the rural Midwest, I attained my Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and zoology at Eastern Illinois University in December of 1995 because I needed a “practical” degree. In college, I took a few art classes, but as a young wife and mom, juggling it all, I felt I didn’t have the time or luxury to major in art. I’d always wanted to get back to art somehow, someday though.
Although I began drawing as a child and painting as an adolescent, I now find that my camera lens becomes my canvas of choice most often. I never leave home without it because there are too many fascinating surprises in nature, waiting to be captured. I prefer photographing: seascapes, wildlife, plants, landscapes, and skies. Acrylic painting on anything and everything is my next medium of choice, with which I tend to use bright, sunny, and vivid colors!
For the past nineteen years, Oro Valley has been home. Although I love the desert, I’m in love with the islands and the ocean and I get there as often as possible. You’ll see this in my photography. Having left my corporate job in 2008 (which had nothing to do with art), and not sure of what was next, I began searching for something creative to do. I was so blessed to be able to purchase a franchise in June of 2009, Young Rembrandts of Tucson, which enabled me to plunge into the world of art, bringing it to children all over Tucson. Exactly ten years later in June 2019, I sold that business and began focusing on my new venture, Art Mixer.
In 2018 I launched Art Mixer, which is a paint and sip business, utilizing a step by step teaching method for adult students and children alike. I teach classes or “paint events” both in my studio in the Foothills Mall and also at community venues and private events alike! This entrepreneurial lifestyle enables me to not only teach art to anyone, showing them that they can draw and create if taught the steps, but also allows me the opportunity and time to work on my own personal projects, for which I’m so grateful. In addition to photography, I offer custom hand painted glassware and hand painted ceramics too. I’ve shown paintings in two art exhibits hosted by SAACA over the years, and plan to continue learning, expanding and growing personally while bringing the love of art to others.