Statement

I began painting over 30 years ago when I was at a loss for a gift to give to a friend. I decided to paint a portrait from a photograph as a birthday surprise. Never mind that I had never painted before or knew anything about how to go about it. I persevered anyway and produced something that struck a surprising likeness to its subject. From that moment, I became a student of painting. I attended art schools in Seattle and sharpened my skills and knowledge quickly, but a job at Microsoft became more and more invasive and my newly built studio gradually became a storage room. And then my husband of 29 years became ill and required my 24/7 support and attention. Now he has passed, and I am retired. My days suddenly became my own and I could shovel out my studio and pick up a brush. Lemons to lemonade, right? I am so grateful for this opportunity to reboot my life and am still learning! I have also enjoyed the progress I have made since that first birthday portrait of my friend. I hope you enjoy it too.