I have been creating “stuff” as long as I can remember. As a child, I made many of my own toys, from doll houses made from shoe boxes, to clothing for my dolls and pets, then later, clothing for myself. I always felt the need to make the design I saw in my head, so taught myself early how to alter patterns or combine parts of one with parts of another. Although I did take some art classes in high school, my first college years I studied fashion. This presented me the opportunity to visit big cities like London, New York, Rome, and Paris, which opened my eyes wide. I had grown up a country girl, riding horses and doing LOTS of chores! I had a BIG loving family, and it was wonderful. I worked in the fashion industry for several years, but I was always a BIG multi-tasker, so during those same years I put a husband through veterinary school, ran a boutique, had my first child ( who I call my Special Angel) and pursued an art degree in Painting at University of Florida. The daughter worked out great, and so did the art degree!

I left fashion and started my own company, Starshine Studio (Yes, the song, Good Morning Starshine was the inspiration for the name). It was the dawning the Age of Aquarius!

For the next 40 years I ran a small business that serviced the interior design industry… high end…movies stars, yachts, private jets. What a fun trip that was! I had a big beautiful studio, a handful of young creative artist types, working for me, my own on site pre-school for our kids, showrooms across the country that represented my hand-painted fabrics and wall coverings in all the major U.S. cities, and private clients that I cannot tell their name or I will get in trouble!

Now, in my Grandma years, I travel, with my husband, between our 3 homes - Spokane, Wa. In the summer months, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. In the winter months, and frequent visits to our tiny studio on the Upper West side in Manhattan. Although I closed my company and edited employees, I still do quite a few projects with interior designers and clients I have had for years. I am grateful for the relationships and am at my best when “commissioned” to create whatever the project calls for. This is always how it has been, which is why my artwork is SO varied in techniques, styles, medium… I just have never been able to define or confine myself to one “look”, style, or medium. My work years taught me to create what a particular environment required, on a project-to-project basis. Although this brought me success in the high-end custom interior design world, I put off becoming my authentic self artist until now. Comparing myself with other fine artists, I have felt this was a shortcoming, but many have assured me it is the opposite! I have GREAT versatility of style and media, and I am trained for commissions! I make art because I have to. I am not sure I could breathe in and out regularly if I went too long without creating something from nothing. This is what brings me JOY. It is my purpose, my passion, and I think it is what God wants me to do. It is my hope that to share what I make brings the same joy to those who embrace it.

Really, that is it!!!