I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near Marquette, and moved to my husband’s home town of Three Rivers. I started attending Glen Oaks College shortly after my fourth child was born. I wanted to go into Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) but, having started classes during the second semester, I had missed all of the first semester prerequisites. Therefore, my counselor suggested I take some art classes.

At age twenty eight, I discovered I had an artistic ability; I flourished in graphite, ink (pointillism), and colored pencil. I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, graduated with honors, and received a Fine Arts Studio Award. Note: I did not achieve my goal in drafting because I could not grasp the concepts of algebra (X x Y = Z ?), I still don’t get it!

Years flew by, working full time and raising four children did not leave me much time to expand my artistic skills. Several years ago, after the death of my first grandson, I needed an outlet; something to occupy my time and mind. I enrolled in a watercolor class at the Carnegie Center for the Arts with Joan Hector. Joan is my mentor; she has encouraged my growth as an artist. I have had several paintings accepted into juried shows at the Carnegie and dream of winning an award in the future.

I am currently working at KeyStone Place, Inc. (St. Joseph County’s homeless shelter) as the Housing Resource Specialist, which I find very rewarding.