Animals were my first favorite subject to draw at a young age, followed soon by people, barns, nature, and as a mature artist, the effect of light. I strive to create realistic, narrative paintings that express a particular mood or feeling. Working toward this goal involves painting outdoors to understand the effect of light on landscape, as well as painting in the studio from live models. So much can be sensed in a figure, out under the open sky, connecting with the natural world. I hope my paintings inspire in the viewer empathy and respect for our natural environment, for animals, and for each other.
I spent 30 years as an illustrator of more than 24 picture books. Now I focus on my own paintings and commissions.
I also enjoy teaching art to individuals and groups. I strive to explain the intuitive process of creating art so that my students can grow as artists.
When not in the studio, I'm an avid reader. I play piano and love hearing live music. I have two grown children that I'm overly proud of. I enjoy hiking with my husband and our dogs in the woods surrounding our log home in New York's Finger Lakes region.
