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My journey into the world of art began in my childhood in Ohio painting scenery on paper plates with mom at the kitchen table and, of course...watching Bob Ross!...because, who doesn't?

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In college I studied everything from commercial art and graphic design/advertising...to music, (violin performance to  be exact).  Together, with my wonderful husband, I owned and ran a music school and store for fifteen+ years and homeschooled our two amazing kids, and still, I had that creative "itch" that needed scratched.

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I've painted on random items and canvases...sometimes, even the walls!   Then, when I realized I couldn't just store everything I was painting on, I started painting on Christmas bulbs and selling them local boutiques.  This eventually led me to Bronners and the rest just took off from there.

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The area I'm living in is brimming with artists and photographers. And it's wonderful to see the collaboration and support for each other and from the community in general. I have been met with encouragement at every turn.

 

Joy from Mourning

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I'm not one who likes to share personal parts of my life, but I've been asked so many times to share some of my story, I'll give a short synopsis here, in hopes that I can be an encouragement to someone who needs it.

 

Like it is for so many people, a​rt was always therapeutic for me during difficult times, more than an aspiration or vocation.

 

I've been through 40+ surgery recoveries, 9 difficult, high-risk pregnancies, the loss of 7 babies and then, later, a cancer diagnosis and complications from that.

Life threw me a couple more curve balls when Mom moved on to heaven.

 

During each of those hard seasons, I was given a gift of being able to express my hurt through painting, even though I kept it mostly to myself.

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I know that everyone has hard times, but for a time, I was truly broken. 

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But, I knew I had to begin putting pieces of my life back together.  I knew I couldn't do that alone.  Prayer and painting seemed to go hand in hand for me.

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What began to unfold then, can only be explained by answered prayers.

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Doors began to open, I walked through them.  They kept opening and I kept walking.

 

Now, here I am, in Florida, doing this thing. And I couldn't be more thankful!

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I've met so many wonderful people! People like YOU!​

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Life is about more than art or business, it's about people.  If you find yourself in a similar circumstance and find encouragement in this, please reach out and let me know.  

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My story truly is one of turning "mourning into JOY."

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​I'm so thankful that I'm able to do what I love and pray that I can share that joy with you.