SIDELIGHT Painting

As a child growing up in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, I was always drawn to the beautiful colors that surrounded me. Brilliant blue skies and water, green grass and trees, bright yellow dandelions, orange salmonberries, and the brilliant flowers that my mother grew in our garden. I would have happily spent all my time coloring and drawing. Later in High School I was fortunate to receive my first formal training in art. Painting quickly became my forte. I placed in a few local and state competitions and the thoughts of a career in Art were brought to my attention for the first time. Sadly, my mother was very ill with cancer, and passed away in December of my senior year. Art School dreams seemed frivolous at the time, and I opted for the more sensible Cosmetology School. Cosmetology has served me well and I feel that without its creative outlet, I would have been stunted. After years without a paint brush or palette, my husband encouraged me to try again. He claims not to regret it but being married to an artist is a sacrifice to say the least! Most of my time as well as a large portion of our home goes to my art and studio. . I am currently blessed to be working as an active artist. because we live in a more rural area, I have chosen to sell my works via the online galleries, VANGO and SAATCHI. This has been a great venue for my art. My work has been purchased for private collections all over the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. I am also currently teaching art to elementary students as an Art Specialist in Anacortes, WA. I LOVE creating new and interesting lessons for my students and teaching them about the art of lesser known artists both current and past. Looking to the future, i will be moving toward showing my art in more live venues. II am creating the best work of my career and I am excited for this next phase of my career in the art world.