I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My mother became pregnant with me just as she was about to see the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to my two siblings who were already in school and out of her hair for the most part. As a result, I was often left to my own devices and chose to spend my time drawing and illustrating stories I wrote about my pets.

 

As I matured the idea of becoming an artist took hold. I majored in art in college and over the following years took workshops with several colorist artists to hone my skills. My first workshop was with Gustav Likan (1912-1998), a Yugoslavian-born internationally acclaimed artist who, after coming to America, emerged as one of the most important colorists of the twentieth century. 

 

Then came Susan Sarback who founded the School of Light and Color in Fair Oaks, California; Kevin MacPherson, a famous impressionist landscape painter and author; Charles Sovek (1937-2007), internationally acclaimed artist and author, and awe-inspiring colorist painter; Laurel Daniel, a friend and wonderful plein aire painter in Austin, and Carol Marine, a driving force in daily painting and an inspiring artist and teacher. I can’t leave out colorist, Peggi Kroll-Roberts, even though I never met her. Peggi is a wonderful teacher and very generous with her knowledge about art. I use her videos often when I just need a nudge or to solve a problem with color or light. I never stop learning!