About the Artist
Welcome to my website!
I am a Canadian born artist and illustrator, living in 150 Mile House, south of Williams Lake B.C. Canada, in the Cariboo district.
I grew up in Vancouver, and in my young adult life, lived in a number of small communities in B.C. In 1998 I put down my roots in the small First Nations community of Siska, within the N'laka'pamux territory in the majestic Fraser Canyon. I lived at Siska for 9 years. In 2007 I purchased a small home in the Village of Lytton, just 11 km. north of Siska, where I lived for another 9 years before selling my home and moving closer to my many grandchildren in 2016, who live just west of Williams Lake, B.C.
I have been drawing and painting since I was a young child, with little formal art education, I preferred to experiment with mediums and surfaces. There have however been two experiences, almost 40 years apart, that have proven to be keys to opening the illusive link to that mysterious place that creativity comes from, in perfect timing. One was a course based on Betty Edward's book, 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain' over 40 years ago, and the other was a weekend workshop in 2015, with Canadian artist David Langevin.
Inspiration is all around me, in my natural surroundings, local wildlife, family, people and the written word. Simply, I love to paint!
I have been very fortunate to have shown my original artwork in galleries in the Pacific Northwest for over 40 years, and internationally in Germany and Switzerland.
My other creative passion that I truly enjoy is illustrating. It is totally other worldly. One has to imagine oneself actually being there watching the story unfold, 360 degrees, and how you imagine things to look, sound, feel, and even smell, as you read the manuscript many times over.
Over the years I have been honoured to be a part of several organizations such as: The Canadian Portrait Academy, CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators & Performers), CCBC (Canadian Children's Book Centre), SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Artists in Canada, The Federation of Canadian Artists, The Vancouver Children's Roundtable.
I welcome enquiries and accept commissions from individuals and corporations.
Photo Credit: Pinot's Palette (pinotspalette.com)