I am a professional artist--oil painter, potter. Decorative painting, beading, fiber arts--knitting, crocheting, are hobbies that I love to do while watching The Drs.  Being an artist is not my first career--I have been an educator for over 30 years, first in the classroom and then as an educational consultant--helping schools and teachers do the best job they possibly can to help children learn. I still am very interested in education and will consult when called--just not my focus right now.  For about 3 years, I owned a boutique specializing in custom fitted bras, beautiful mix and match clothing, and accessories. I was the director of a non-profit Art Institute for 2 years. 

Although I have painted for almost all my life, it's just that now I am concentrating my time and energy toward that career. I also work part-time as the director of a nonprofit foundation--Mission: Freedom's Children--we assist children of soldiers in different ways. As you can tell--I'm pretty busy and pretty good at multi-tasking. I spend a part of each day on the computer marketing my art and getting my work done for the foundation. The rest of the day I spend in my studio painting or working in the clay. 

My style is pretty eclectic--I'm very much a right brained thinker and creative person, but I have developed the left side enough that I'm not totally out of control. I work hard at being organized, but it takes a lot of effort. I can't stand to throw things away--I always think that I will find a way to use something. I think that comes from teaching elementary school for years. You always can use those egg cartons or paper towel tubes.

I am a really happy person and love what I'm doing right now. My husband and I have 2 beautiful dogs, a papillon and an English setter, 7 beautiful grandchildren, 4 girls and 3 boys from 19 to 4 yrs. of age and 2 daughters.  Family is extremely important to me as are my friends. My profile picture is Gizmo--my little papillon--some days I think I fit his personality perfectly--wild and crazy! But at other times, I'm laid back just like the old bird dog.

Everyone that knows me knows that I love to EAT! We eat for fun and entertainment. It seems like our family time revolves around eating! So it shows on my body--but I just ordered Dr. Travis' book--hopefully it will help me get rid of my extra belly! I don't love to exercise and workout, but I love to dance--but i don't get to go and do it enough-I think I'm going to take some classes just to get to dance. I can't get my husband to go very often. We don't drink much and the smoke in those places where you can dance bothers us both, so about the only places we go dancing is at weddings or parties.

I have lived in the Texas panhandle all of my life. It's on the great plains--flat. But we live in a little town south of Amarillo, Canyon. We are in the beginnings of the Palo Duro Canyon and have hills and trees along the creek. I love the beautiful sunsets and big skies. I like having all the seasons to enjoy the variety of weather. When you live in a place like the Texas Panhandle, you learn to appreciate the beauty in the simple things. The people here are wonderful, friendly, and helpful. We have that Texas style!