I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. My high school art teacher recognized my love of art, and he introduced me to oil painting.  He allowed me to skip study halls to paint, encouraging me and instilling that love I have today. That was 1975, I still have that painting. Soon after getting married, my husband’s job brought us to Central, SC where we raised our family. Life was busy, and there was no time for art, but then the kids grew up and suddenly I found myself itching to pick up that paintbrush again. But, in 2001 at the age of 44, I had a stroke which affected the use of my left hand (I'm a lefty). After therapy, and then realizing how fast life can change, I immediately started taking art classes and workshops. 

In 2019, I tried my hand at plein air painting (painting from life outdoors). I participated in my very first plein air event in Blowing Rock, NC that year. I fell in love with painting out in nature, I still paint in my studio (little bedroom, lol), but much prefer to be outside hearing the birds, smelling the flowers and breathing in the fresh air.

In January 2022, I called a few friends who had expressed an interest in plein air painting.  A couple of weeks later, after a meeting at a local restaurant, "Tri-County Plein Air Painters" (TC-PAP)was formed. A group of 10 artists, from Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties, meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at local sites that have been selected a year in advance (with wiggle room of course). We are still going strong in 2026. Most of us were able to attend the Plein Air Convention in May 2024 in Cherokee, NC, and we attend numerous plein air events and workshops throughout the year.