My childhood was spent in Southwestern Ontario, where summer weekends often included visits to family getaways on Lake Erie. Creativity was encouraged in our home, and I took music lessons, wrote poetry and loved to draw and paint.  As a teen, I was introduced to painting in oils. 

When faced with the demands of family and career as an adult, most creative activities were put on hold – for many years.  I spent much of my professional career in the mental health sector, working in the GTA as well as other parts of Ontario. My husband and I relocated to a village on Lake Erie for retirement.  I craved being involved in creative activities again, but, unsure of how to get started, I enrolled in watercolour classes given by artists in the area.  I loved the process: I found it relaxing and rewarding.  In 2019, we moved to Sault Ste Marie.  One of the first things I did was look for an art class so that I wouldn’t let my interest erode, I could keep developing my art and could meet others who shared my interests.  I took watercolour classes with Marilyn Mills, acrylic painting with Taimi Poldmaa, and a variety of one day workshops in various mediums. 

While we live in the Soo, we spend time in summer at a camp on St Joseph’s Island. This gives me the opportunity to photograph and paint subjects that reflect the beauty of this region as I continue to develop my style. While I paint some landscapes, my preference is for single subjects against the landscape.  I’m also interested in integrating family history into my art.  I belong to the Algoma Art Society, the Art Gallery of Algoma, and enjoy attending the Open Painting group at the Active Living Centre.