It all begins with an idea.

As a child, a simple colouring book would keep me engaged for hours. I was never interested in “ the lines” but what I would see when I was done. Through the teens, I learned to sew clothes so what I wore was what I wanted to “see” on me.

During the next few years I was devising modular furniture, focusing on interior design and renovating homes - repeating the desire to create my vision.

As my interest in gardening and landscape design evolved, I took a botanical drawing course and I have never looked back. Drawing, painting with watercolour, acrylic and oil, and printmaking were all to become new tools in my artistic journey.

It continues with an energy.

As an emerging artist I strove to accomplish markers. Becoming a signature member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (C.S.P.W.C.) and the Society of Canadian Artists (S.C.A.) validated my self measures of technique development. I continued by journeying into arts management, becoming a board member of both organizations concluding with my Presidency with the C.S.P.W.C.

Then I discovered printmaking.

That started another wonderful journey. Sharing the vision of a public printmaking studio, Colina Maxwell and I created The Print Studio (now Centre 3) in Hamilton, Ontario. From bare walls to a fully operating studio, gallery and teaching centre, I was developing marketing concepts, teaching, curating exhibitions, grant writing and all the bits in between. This period was fun.

Having now moved back to my hometown of Ottawa, I am free to continue my artistic journey as a member of the Enriched Bread Artist group. In this private studio space, I have free rein to create new bodies of work. The focus of the latest works have been from papermaking and casting, to large paper hangings. Creativity never stops.

I have shown in many exhibitions over the years, and now have art across our provinces and in many countries.

It succeeds with a sharing.

That makes me smile.