About Me

At my daughters wedding - 2013

 About me...

Born and raised in WA State,

I have an identical twin sister ! and a brother..

I live in Chehalis, with my Husband of 26 yrs, two children, a daughter 25 and a son 22 and my sweet little doggie ozzie..

My home growing up wasn't always the happiest of places , growing up with an extreme Bi-polar mother and an alcoholic father, this made me grow up rather quickly, always having to be the caregiver, from a very young age.

I am not complaining, I feel like this made me who I am today, my parents were GREAT parents , we had everything we could possibly ever want growing up, my father was a very successful  Building Contractor and land developer,  my mother was an amazing  interior designer.

Later in my childhood when my mother became ill, life seemed to change over night ..... sadly..

I wont go into details,  mental illness is a very hard illness  on families, and those suffering, and is very real in lives today .

I could write a book on growing up with my sweet mother and her hardest of days... I believe today I am who I am now because of seeing things in real life,it makes a kid grow up real fast..

As an adult I created papier mache and was blessed to be in the design world for many years. I designed for several gift ware companies. and even designing in China on a design team to research and evaluate products and licensing for various gift industries.

But then things changed and I found that when life throws you the darkest of days, it seems impossible to find your creativity..

I know this all too well, because it happened to me in 2001 at age 38.

My life was shattered..  In a very short time span I lost my mother, father, grandmother, and mother-in-law. It seemed my art had forever left me.   I honestly didn't’ think I would do anything with the creative abilities I once loved,ever  again.

After all the losses so quickly in my life, my joyful, creative side went too.  I cleaned house, literally and figuratively. I gave away anything and everything that had to do with art. I cleaned out all my drawers and closet's from all my art supplies. 

When you’re down and depressed the last thing possible was to embrace some  creativity.

My dearest friend saw me sinking, as I purged all my art supplies, shocking my friends and family that knew and loved me. She urged me to take an art workshop, but I  just wasn't interested, many times over she would ask . I had no interest in learning anything  creative really. 

One day, she picked me up and off we went. I thought we were going shopping. Little did I know we were going to an Art Workshop. I wasn’t thrilled when I arrived, to say the least. As the day progressed something happened; I was having FUN!  Something had been rekindled. I found my "HAPPY" once again and loved the class. It was indeed, truly life changing. I went home so excited and have never looked back. This became the best day of my new life! it was truly life changing for me..

If I can encourage anyone to do so, take a workshop--whether local, online, or on an adventure to new places with friends! These classes and events are everywhere. That workshop day in 2004 was the beginning for me--I now teach and meet women with amazing stories and gifts to share. In 2008 I started a women’s Art Retreat known as Art Camp on the Oregon Coast. Women fly from all over the world to attend. Some come alone not knowing a soul, and leave with 25 forever friendships, and art experiences to treasure forever. What happens there is pure magic! I believe women need this time to learn, to regroup and refresh, and find the joy I have found in art and creativity.

There is truly nothing more humbling then to hear over and over how I have changed someone's life,  and in the end they all have changed mine.....

If there is anything you can do for yourself, its don't live the past, and look forward to the FUTURE! You are the only one in charge of your story book ending.....