More than anything, I feel that I am not painting these paintings for me - they are for you - they are for the world. If I can paint something that can open up feelings in another person, make them smile, feel love, deepen their faith, or give them a glimpse of the beauty that is still in the world-then I think I have done my job. In short, what is important to me is what you see in them.

I am a self-taught artist. I started painting in October of 2003 after 30 some years of procrastination. My ability to paint came as a spontaneous gift, and since that time I have painted over 200 paintings. I paint 3-4 days a week, 4-6 hours a day/night, in the studio that I built onto the back of my house--surrounded by four cats, my husband David and son Trevor. Outside my studio is my garden bursting with much of the color and life that inspires my paintings.

I grew up splitting my time between the Southwest and the Deep South. I have also traveled extensively in Latin America. All of these places have left deep impressions on my soul and have great impact on my art. I find myself exploring and re-exploring themes of motherhood, expressions of faith and the faithful, the roles and archetypes of women, the simplicity and grace that can be found by working the earth with your hands, the bounty of harvest, and the history of these beautiful places. I enjoy using the stronger lines, colors and forms that so beautifully represent the vitality and richness of these cultures. Some of the artists that have influenced my work are Diego Rivera, Rudolfo Morales and Marc Chagall.

My goal now is to keep painting and to broaden my ability to share my art and to communicate the passion and joy that I try to embed into every painting.