Artist's Biography

My educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Pittsburgh, and a graduate degree in Art as Applied to Medicine from the University of Toronto. I began my professional life as an artist in 1965, as the medical artist for the Faculty of Medicine, McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. This first career included black and white illustrations for books, journals, and various teaching materials for medical residents. It also encompassed now antique analog animation techniques for the creation of medical teaching films, as well as design and construction of traveling medical exhibits. A strong interest in the pairing of art and science projects led me to spend almost twenty years exploring all aspects of printmaking. Health concerns caused me to find another avenue of interest; I turned to neon sculpture with found objects. Then, approximately fifteen years ago, searching for something that might be more marketable to support my studio, I discovered pastel, and more recently - encaustic, which have become more satisfying both for my soul, and my creditors.

I am fortunate enough to enjoy a lifestyle suffused with activities that include river running, backpacking, scuba diving and world travel which bring me into close contact with the wild creatures that I love, and offer me the opportunity to celebrate them in pastel.

I hold signature membership and “distinguished pastellist” status in the Northwest Pastel Society, and signature memberships in the Pastel Society of America, Pastel Society of the West Coast, and Knickerbocker Artists, New York. I also maintain juried membership in Women Painters of Washington and The Society of Animal Artists, New York.