I’ve had a passion for art all my life. Even though art classes weren’t offered in public schools in the small South Georgia town where I grew up, I have fond memories of molding recognizable shapes and forms in modeling clay as a youngster and drawing and coloring with classmates and neighborhood friends and family throughout my childhood. One of my favorite Christmas presents was an easel with a chalk board and drawing paper that scrolled from top to bottom. I excitedly added drawings or tracings and paper cutouts to science and history posters, and book report covers. 

As I entered Valdosta State University (1972) I was drawn to the Fine Arts program.  There I took art classes for the first time.  I gained an appreciation for European and American artists through- out history. And even though I wasn’t the best in class I met and sometimes exceeded the standard in beginning and advanced drawing and painting, print-making, textiles and pottery. I went with an art history class to the Modern Museum of Art and the Guggenheim in New York and was accepted to the University of Georgia’s Studies Abroad program in Cortona, Italy. This gave me the opportunity to take studio classes and to visit museums and architectural landmarks in Florence, Rome, Venice, and Pompeii under the purview of the University of Georgia.  I could achieve a recognizable image in drawing and painting the criteria at the time).  I gained an appreciation for the skills, struggles, insights, and achievements of artists from around the world and throughout history. Additionally, I enjoyed traveling and I learned that it might be possible to earn a living as an art teacher.

While I was in college both my parents died and soon after graduation I joined the Army (1977) looking for a way to continue my education, earn a living, and see the world. As I enlisted and was later commissioned in the Army, I married my husband and I raised two girls. During those years, I drew a few pictures for friends and occasionally drew something to help my daughters with class projects but most of my creative energy was spent on the job preparing briefings, building spreadsheets and writing formal documents.  At home my creative energy was spent cooking, cleaning, shopping – just general homemaking chores.  I spent hardly any time drawing and painting but we frequently visited museums, galleries, fairs, and festivals as we had opportunities to travel in the United States, Germany, France, Spain, Holland and Korea.

As the girls grew up and left home and my husband and I retired from the workforce, we created a small business (2012) to sell his jewelry and repurposed home accessories. He built or rebuilt tables, cabinets, wine racks, etc., and I would help with the finish work, drawing and painting. We participated in street festivals /sales and sold a variety of small items (his jewelry, wine racks, his wood work and my painted glassware or panels) through consignment booths.  We contracted art lessons. I created the curriculum and lessons, and he and I taught art-in-the cart fashion, during and after school. After he died in 2015, I changed the business from sales to school and I provide specialized art activities for clubs, camps, church groups and social events.