My father bought me my first set of oil paints, a Bob Ross collection, when I was about ten and I've been painting happy little trees but more likely water towers, clotheslines, dinosaurs, and figurative work in that medium, with those paintings described by others as somewhat "darker" and solemn. My childhood memories of growing up in suburban New Jersey in the 1980’s have been one of the stronge
st influences for my art. I earned my BFA at Johnson State College with a concentration in painting, along with a double major in Psychology. During my time in Vermont, I lived and worked as a staff artist at the Vermont Studio Center, an international artists’ community, where I had the opportunity to meet and work alongside of various artists from around the world. I have since earned my Master’s Degree in Direct Practice Social Work and and am an LCSW working with children, families and individuals affected by mental illness and developmental disabilities. When I was pregnant with my son, I began working in watercolors because the process is less hazardous than oils. I found myself inspired to create more lighthearted illustrations for children. Writing a children's book had been a dream of mine for many years, so this direction felt very natural. With this deep connection to my own childhood and also a long-standing interest in nursery rhymes, fables and fantasy, I decided to focus more on this venture and to open this shop! I am still working in oils and will, in time, be linking a shop for anyone interested in seeing that side of me. Thanks for stopping by!.
