I was born in New Jersey, but from the age of three was raised in California and consider it my home.. I was an only child and because we traveled a lot I was encouraged to draw and read to keep myself busy. I'm still never bored when alone.

I met my husband Bob, in La Jolla, California, while still in school. We married young and had two sons, Michael and David who were thirteen months apart in La Jolla. We lived between La Jolla and the beach city of Encinitas until the boys were four and five.

Bob and I sailed to Catalina Island for a long weekend visit. Bob was smitten immediately and I too was taken with the beauty and peace of the island. Bob made another visit, fell in love and wrote a letter to the Santa Catalina Island Co, inquiring how one could support their family living in Avalon. His answer came from SCE. He tested, passed and we had three hours to decide if I liked Avalon and if so find a house to rent. You see we had a pregnant dog at home and had to move pre puppies or be stuck for another six weeks.

Timing is everything! We arrived like a small group of gypsies. We had sold both cars, most of our furniture and found a home for our wonderful pet raven and our 40 gallon aquarium full of fish. Our boys were certain that living on an island meant natives with spears and maybe cannibals. We settled in with our very pregnant dog and our "fat cat". It has been forty years now. This is where I started to paint.

This is where my career started, this is where the Plein Air Painters of America were born. To Catalina and her wonderful family of residents, I owe many thanks. I also must thank my husband and family for supporting my decisions and helping out while I attended classes with Sergei Bongart in Santa Monica. It was my husband, Bob, who bought my first oils, pushed me out the door to take lessons and made all of the rest possible.

I learned to apply oils from local painter Roger "Bud" Upton. I learned watercolor and drawing from Jody Bryan, I leaned about acrylics when they first came out from Malvina Jackson, I also learned pastels from John Burroughs, islanders all. Funny how life works out. I earned my first awards in the Catalina Art festival and was encouraged by a judge to study and turn to art as a profession. Catalina has played a major part in my life in many ways.

My family visits now with our five grandchildren. They have served as some of my favorite models.

Curriculum Vitae