My reason for painting?  I am driven from within.  I love the colors, the moment that sunset takes your breath away  or you spend hours watching the seas waters ebb and flow.  A true moment in time often with a camera, but more importantly impressed upon our busy minds. The art of creating and the creation of art brings us to a place where nothing else matters but the design, the process, the colors, with a vision in our minds and on the surface.  The outcome, though often varied and somewhat surprising, is a process, a life-long process and we as artists need to be patient, with ourselves.  

As I child I drew and colored using magazines and periodicals for reference, after high school I was given the first organized art instruction at a state college, as rural education in Montana did not offer this.  I was told I had no talent and I was wasting my time, thus I dropped out of school.  However, nothing could keep me from art.  After my second pregnancy I developed a terribly painful and debilitating illness. Over three years before a full diagnosis, I painted whenever possible to ease the pain and the fear of the unknown. Life plans literally fell apart, i.e. my body, my job, my marriage, my life, and yet, I never gave up my dreams. Whenever time allowed I used my art as a way to get through those difficult years. Painting and drawing is still the most peaceful place (besides my garden) for joy in this stressful and challenging world. Whether you paint or draw outside or in the studio, find time to connect with who you are, the real you; so unique and full of color it takes one's breath away.