Surrounded by family members who placed a high value on artistic expression, including a great aunt who advocated color-composed meals, I was bound to pursue a career in the visual arts.  After receiving a BFA in design from Alma College in my native Michigan, I moved to Chicago to work as an Art Director for Frankel & Company and then later worked for many years as a Creative Director for Simon Marketing in Oakbrook, IL.  Adding to my professional mix, I taught design at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  Today I live and paint in Traverse City, Michigan, where I am an active participant in the rich local arts community. My Oil paintings can be found in several northern Michigan Galleries including Synchronicity Gallery in Glen Arbor, Crooked Tree Arts Center in Traverse City, and Tinker Studio on Old Mission Peninsula. I participate in solo and group shows both near and far. I enjoy getting out into nature to paint plein-air whenever I can!