A little bit about myself:

I'm a stay at home Mom to two boys ages 10 and 13. Whenever I have the opportunity I practice drawing, sketching and doodling. I have had some formal art training but basically am self taught as an artist. I have been dabbling in traditional art mediums since I was a child and have always had a strong desire to be creative. I graduated from a local community college with a degree in Computer Aided draftng in 1996. In 2002 I decide to go back to school for Computer Graphic Arts at Moraine Valley Community College. In this program I have learned to use various software programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Indesign & Illustrator, Macromedia Dreamweaver & Corel Painter. I have also attend traditional art classes such as oil painting, 2D design, 3D design and ceramics as part of the curriculum.

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is to peruse antique stores. I collect older childrens books (many times through ebay purchases, other times at antique stores) that contain illustrations which give me inspiration and ideas. I love nostalgic things from the past. I look at and enjoy old illustrations and let my mind register and filter the images over time, which I believe somehow have an effect on my finished art. Some would say I am not a purist, but I feel art is how one interprets their surroundings and is a means of expressing what one sees. I also love gardening and getting out into the country to enjoy the rich colors and organic forms in nature. I also believe studying the work of a master can greatly influence the work of an artist in a positive way. I love going on visit's to the Chicago Art Institute to view paintings by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Picasso and other great masters of painting. I don't know what the future holds for my artistic expression but I'm enjoying the journey.