Wild Berry Painting

I have been an artist all my life, ever since I could hold a pencil. I have always loved to draw and paint. My styles have varied over the years from realism to abstract and everything in between. The mediums I most enjoy working with are: oil, prismacolor, charcoal, graphite, watercolor, pen & ink, alcohol ink, and acrylic. Currently I am experiencing a mammoth amount of creative freedom working on abstract art. In 2015 I donated one of my kidneys to a young woman who had only been born with one very diseased kidney. Since then she has been thriving and going to college and living her life. What a blessing! I consider this a privilege and i'm so happy I was a match for her. I have lived all over the country. I primarily grew up in Woodland Park, CO. From there I lived in Durango, CO, Farmington, NM, Houston, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Atlanta, GA and currently in Montrose, CO (hopefully for good). I thankfully found my way back to Colorado. We live near Colona, in the shadow of Buckhorn Mountain (west/central Colorado) and absolutely love this place! It is remote, uncluttered, quiet and beautiful. The inspiration I feel in my heart here is something I'll be forever grateful for. It makes my soul sing! I love to ski and am glad I live near some great places. Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen, etc ...when money allows. On February 12, 2017 I was in a ski accident in Telluride. Someone hit me from behind and knocked me unconscious for a few minutes (yes, I was wearing a helmet) and broke my collar bone. They guy hit me and left me for dead. He still has yet to be found. It's considered a felony hit and run, just like in a car. Consequently, I suffered a concussion that has changed my life forever. My creativity has changed. Something happened to my eyes and I have a hard time doing the tiny details I used to do. But something also clicked in terms of how I approach my art. The freedom of abstract has helped me heal and cope. Not only from the accident but with so many areas of my life. I have learned what true forgiveness means (to give as well as receive). I have a new appreciation for how fragile our lives really are and just how quickly life can be taken from us. A lot of things can change in the blink of an eye! That moment created a complete paradigm shift in my life. Mostly for the better. I am involved in an art mentoring program called Art Partners. I mentor a young boy (age 10).