I was born and raised in West Virginia and graduated from Concord University with a major in Elementary Education. When I was a student at Concord, I would walk through the art department and watch in amazement at the progress of the work of the art majors. I decided that when I graduated and had a job, I would buy a ukulele and some art supplies. I am living my dream by playing the ukulele and painting pretty pictures, not because I am good at it, but because I enjoy it.

I call myself a frugal artist, because I’m always finding inexpensive ways to feed my passion to be creative. I will paint on anything that will stand still for ten minutes. (My husband, Mickey, says that is why he stays on the move or he might be wearing roses.) He jokes about it, but he is my #1 art supporter and encourager.

As an elementary teacher I needed to take college classes and workshops to renew my teaching certificate, and I would always select art related classes at Rollins College or Valencia Community College. I joined the local Osceola Art Association in Kissimmee, Florida, and took lessons from Marge Minnich. She specialized in Florida oil landscapes of swamps, cypress trees, and mists rising off the water in the distance. I currently am content to use acrylic paints. There are newer acrylic paints that are thicker and richer in pigment and mimic oils but clean up with soap and water.

One of my favorite activities is to send out social notes on hand painted cardstock with a matching envelope, or the address written in Copperplate calligraphy. As a Christian I am blessed when people respond that they were encouraged by the personalized card and letter. As in Proverbs 31:10-31, it is my desire to use my talents and skills to be a woman of noble character, fulfill my role with valor, to love and honor God, and to follow Christ.