On the eve of my 50th birthday, I decided to teach myself how to paint. The impetus was creating a painting of the family farm for each of my four sisters. Once I achieved that goal, I was hooked. I also invested a lot of money in acrylic paint and felt I had better use it.

Scattered throughout my home are books about artists, styles, techniques, and methods. I have been a diligent student: setting up little workshops for myself and assigning tasks to be completed. Thirty years ago I took a college course in art design. That is my only formal training. However, I must credit my classes in scene design for mechanical perspective, and costume design for understanding color. I can hardly claim to be self-taught; throughout my life I have been learning about art in the spoken word and as a performance—it has just taken this long to wield a brush.

At my first exhibit in October 2002, many asked if I would make my first Jewelled Fruit painting into a card (the original was the first painting I sold). It required some more learning, but now I churn out cards and reproductions in my own “digital darkroom”.

I grew up on a farm on the eastern side of the state and graduated from South Dakota State University with B.A. and M.A. degrees. Since 1985 I have lived “West River” in the beautiful Black Hills. My beloved spouse and I are allowed to live in a magic cottage reigned over by Max the Wonderdog. I earn my daily bread by teaching piano lessons. I appreciate comments and suggestions. Thanks for stopping by.