Artist's Bio

 I clearly remember the moment in my life when I first thought that I wanted to be an artist: I was 12 years old and saw an abstract painting on the wall of a friend’s house while I was living in Germany. My friend’s mother was an artist, and I thought she was very mysterious. Little did I know that she was just totally immersed in her artwork. Many years passed before the “idea” of making art actually became the “doing”, as there wasn’t always the time to devote to being a working artist, nor the clear direction in the early years. But, as time went on, frequent visits to art galleries, artists’ studios, museums, and cycling excursions in France and Italy, were sources of stimulation and inspiration. Membership in the Belleville Art Association and the East Central Ontario Artists Association, along with painting workshops and life drawing classes, have been sources of education. Surprisingly, managing time has been the priority.  These days I work mostly in a small room from sketches and photos that I collect whenever I can make a getaway to the outdoors that is at my doorstep, or to the culture of Europe while touring on my bicycle. Sometimes I’m able to begin a painting en plein air, then finish it in the studio.  Working in a three-dimensional medium, clay, has allowed me the opportunity to create ceramic sculpture in addition to painting. It has been a satisfying and exhilarating adventure to play with several media, for the possibilities of making new discoveries are infinite.

I have been living in the Madoc area since 1978 with my husband, Jim, who is a potter. Together we have operated Deer Creek Pottery for 31 years, while raising 2 children, Heather and Andrew.