ABOUT
No matter what I’ve done in my life, I’ve always tried to embrace my endless creativity and passion. It’s in my DNA.
I’ve had a diverse career as a marketing and branding consultant, copywriter, graphic designer, author, professional speaker, singer-songwriter, educator, television show host, and nonprofit executive. I studied music and art as part of my education, graduating with an honors Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees.
I was born in London, Ontario (Canada), grew up in Montreal, Quebec, and lived in Toronto, Ontario for 30 years. I relocated to Arizona in 2004, becoming a U.S. citizen in 2014. I hold dual citizenship.
During my youth, I always thought I’d be a performer on stage, singing my original songs to audiences everywhere. At the time, there were fewer women succeeding in popular music. I did some demo recordings and performed in some coffee houses. When that didn’t pan out, I accepted it and moved on, finding different outlets for my creativity.
When I picked up a paintbrush again, I had no idea what would come of it. There was no one more surprised than I was – that I could actually produce appealing art! Since then, several of my paintings have been selected for exhibits and I’ve sold paintings online. I have also donated several pieces to charities for fundraising auctions and displays.
If you like my work, please follow me on social media!
Artist Statement
Visual art is a natural extension of the many creative outlets I’ve pursued during my life and career. Expressing myself this way taps into my sense of childlike wonder and exploration. I become engrossed in the process as it takes me to a place of peace and balance, unencumbered by expectations.
I frequently use my own photographs as a reference, in addition to those by photographers who permit me to paint their images in my own style. My work is rooted in real landscapes and botanical subjects, especially those from the Sonoran Desert, North American environments, and places I visit. I try to capture the essence of these places with authenticity and care, frequently using bold, saturated colors—greens, purples, oranges, browns, and blues—to create a sense of vibrancy and life.
While grounded in realism, my style sometimes incorporates impressionistic touches—loose brushwork, visible strokes, and a focus on capturing the feeling of a moment rather than photographic detail. My goal is to transcend the limits of time, capturing a place and moment forever, transporting people into my paintings while enabling them to engulf the mood, scene, and emotion through light, color, and dimension.