"There is a battle that goes on between men and women.
Many people call it love." Quote by artist, Edvard Munch.

Yes, I'm a romantic. Yes, I'm a writer and yes, I'm an artist.
That's me in a nutshell. I started life as an artist. My mother
would get so upset when I'd spill paint or ink on the carpet. I
just didn't understand her anger. I was an artist. I created
images that transcended things like new carpet.

And then I became a romantic, caught up in wonderful stories
of love. I was addicted and probably spent more money on
romance novels than my grocery bill. Something magic happens
in my mind when I read. I find a place I never want to leave.

Next, I discovered writing. Writing satisfies my creativity in
a way that I found lacking in my art. Don't get me wrong. I still
love creating visual images with a pencil or brush, but I get
frustrated when I can't see the finished product immediately.
And painting requires a different type of working space and a
large block of time. With writing, I can write a little here and a
little there. I never get bored and I can create worlds no one
has ever seen.

Now, I share my vision with you.

 

"The most amazing visions appear to me and haunt me
like nightmares." Quote by surrealist artist, Salvidor Dali

The above image is an original piece of artwork and hangs in our dining room.

A Toast to My Life, 1998

The first year I taught AP art, I gave my students an assignment that none of them seemed to understand. I wanted them to take objects and begin arranging them with composition in mind. To help them understand how I wanted them to get started, I decided to draw along with them. I drew my self portrait first, part of the element I wanted them to have in their pieces, then we had a critique session. I asked them what objects I should add to the artwork. Of course, the boys were acting silly and one told me to add a toaster. The other told me I needed a wrench. And thus, A Toast to My Life was born. When I was done, I realized just how strongly this painting reflected my life. Though my family is depicted as the puppets, they are the ones who pull my strings. I am controlled by the little things; cooking, cleaning, mom taxi service and yet I would have it no other way. I love my life and I love my family. They define me and give my life substance.