Though having no formal training beyond high school, I have pursued art in one form or another since early childhood. Always feeling the need to be creative has led me to experiment with many forms of art, from drawing to rug hooking. In my experience, learning comes from doing. The more I paint, the better my work becomes, and the more fulfilling it is for me. While techniques can be learned, style comes from within. Each artist must find their own expression, and developing this expression is what makes each artist's work unique.

Watercolors were the beginning of my serious foray into painting. Exposure in several solo shows as well as many group shows led to sales and commissions. Doing my first mural in my own home brought many commissions for mural work. Whether it's vines over a doorway, a semi-transparent scene on entry doors, or murals that wrap around three walls, I enjoy a challenge.

One such challenge was a commission that was a lot of fun to do, to create a complete set of drawings for a deck of cards, with the theme of Irish Step Dancing. Another great project was painting two fiberglass bears for the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council. Other projects I have done include designing restaurant menus, T-shirts, drawing for a Town Annual Report, designing a town seal logo, creating all of the artwork for a cookbook and doing many art projects as volunteer at my children's elementary school.

Much of my work is inspired by photographs I have taken, but I also draw from imagination. One of my favorite subjects is sunflowers. I have photographed them, painted them in watercolor, drawn them in pen & ink, incorporated them in murals and on painted furniture, and hooked them into bags and framed art. My latest venture is painting them (among other things) on Onesies for babies. This came about with the birth of my first granddaughter, born in April.

Rug hooking was another interest that began more than 25 years ago. Starting with chair pads from pattern-stamped pieces, I progressed to small rugs of my own design, and recently began making bags, pillows and framed art. Each design is my own, and created, many times, as I go. I seldom draw out a design first, preferring to be spontaneous, and to create one of a kind pieces.

To me, art is life, and life is better for having created something beautiful, something that will enrich life. I know that it has enriched my own.