Me with my "Girls" Dot & Dolly

I have been an artist all of my life.  I just didn't know it! 

I was never educated in art until the Summer of 2005 when I took a Beginning Drawing class during a 2 week Festival in Fairbanks.  Once I figured out that I had some kind of natural ability to draw, I then took my first Watercolor Painting class in the Fall of 2005.  From that time until now, I have been in hot pursuit of finding my "Voice".

Let me back up a little bit to the "real" beginnings of my art..........My grandfather was a carpenter, my mother a master garment maker, my grandmother----well she made all kinds of things.  I bought my first sewing machine as a young mother with 2 children some time back in the early 70's.  I was pretty poor but I managed to eventually scrape together $600 and purchased an Elna sewing machine and some fancy thread.  I started sewing and making all kinds of things.  I made toys for my children.  I made our clothes.  I made patches for worn out knees.  I made curtains, pillows, bed covers, etc., etc., etc...........

All the while, I was getting my education so that I could support my family.  I was trained as an Executive Secretary back East when I was in high school but dreamed of being a nurse.  I could take shorthand better than I could read so it took me extra time at the Community College to sharpen up but by 1978 I had my  nursing certificate and 2 Associate degrees as well.  I worked as an LVN and in another year became an RN.  In 1981, I moved to Anchorage, Alaska and worked as a nurse until 1984 when I started my own business in retail/wholesale involving promoting Alaskan art in the tourist trade.  I owned  "The Wholesale Alaska Gift Show" which I sold in 2010.

In 1994, I moved to Fairbanks and paid cash for a real fixer upper house on almost 2 acres of land.  I raised two children who also became artists and they moved off into their own lives.  Beyond decorating my home and being really crafty, I didn't do any art work for all those years. 

In 1996, I attended the University at Fairbanks, thinking I would finish my Bachelor's degree.  That lasted only one year.  During that time, I discovered the almighty gym and became an aerobics instructor .  That only lasted a short couple of years as the old joints just wouldn't hold up.  So once again, I had to re-invent myself. 

I started looking for my own art and voice somewhere around 1996 or 1997 when I started sewing polar fleece hats, mittens, socks, dog clothing.......I would sell them at the Christmas bazaars.  Then in 1998, still looking for my art, I discovered Stained Glass.  I did that for 3 years still selling at the same bazaars.  And then one day had to come up with a birthday present for my daughter and dug out a bed quilt pattern I had kept since the 70's.  I made that quilt and have never stopped quilting.

And now, here we are full circle.  In the Fall of 2005, began painting watercolor.  In the Summer of 2007 began painting in acrylic, and in 2008 began oil painting.  I also learned Pastel painting in 2009.

I have been in group shows with the Cabin Fever Quilter's Guild and the Fairbanks Watercolor Society.  I have sold my quilts through various stores in Fairbanks.  In July, 2007 was my first solo exhibition at the Bear Gallery Gift shop with my quilts.  My quilts and paintings have also been on display and sold at New Horizons Gallery, The Artworks Gallery, and The Bear Gallery Gift Shop in Fairbanks.

Mother's Day, 2008 -- my first solo show as a watercolor & acrylic artist at New Horizons Gallery.

July, 2010 -- Solo show at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks gallery during the Summer Arts Festival.

My painting - "New Arrival" won the poster contest for the year and was used for all of the SAF publications.