Being an artist is a heady adventure without map or instruction manual, inherently exploratory. The process of creating, starting with a pleasurable or stinging seed of inspiration — whether it be a word, an image, a scene, music, a conversation — of seeing what is not there, or seeing something in a different light, of connecting with the essence of  it,  working it out with my spirit, mind and materials, translating it into a viewable or experience-able form in an attempt to communicate its essence, something that speaks to the elements of that seed of inspiration — is intense, imminently satisfying and, perhaps you might agree, somewhat magical. 

Drawn to colour and texture I enjoy working in almost any medium where I can utilize these two elements as part of the expression. I have explored a diversity of mediums: film, photography, sculpture in metal & found objects, cloth, etc. Sometimes what I want to express seems best expressed in a particular medium or combination of mediums.

Currently I am focused on developing to a greater technical proficiency my own contemporary paper manipulation & ink technique. The unpredictability, yet strongly contributing attributes of the first two (of three) stages makes working in this technique a challenge, but also offers an eagerly anticipated surprise factor. There is an attractive seesawing partnership to the process, which underscores the final image. I very much work through a process of reaction and inspiration offered by the expression of the materials, unique to each piece.

I studied Fine Arts at Fanshaw College in London Ontario, and from that, I came away with the knowledge that access to  fellow artists is essential for growth, support, reciprocal mentorship, and inspiration.

By desire and necessity I am an autodidact and “DIYer” (may this never change) with possibly an unusual amount of diverse on-the-ground self-training. From self taught computer graphic design, to Homeschooling my two sons (from 1996 till 2008) in the classical method -- which meant a lot of relearning as well as new, such as learning Latin so I could teach it. 

I pay continuous attention to my professional development through a variety of means, including online classes, and local community organizations:

• Memberships with local organizations, the Huntsville Art Society (HAS), Muskoka Arts and Crafts (MAC), and the Arts Council of Muskoka (ACOM), allow for my participation in a diverse variety of show & sales, exhibition opportunities, learning through lectures, networking, and workshops both in the business of art and creative skills sharing offered by these organizations, year round and spread across our Muskoka region. 
• Volunteer opportunities: Alongside my work for HAS (president 2008-2011, Co-Chair of The Art Space Committee, Chair of the Marketing Committee), I also volunteer yearly for MAC’s Spring Show event. I sat on ACOM’s strategic review committee (2009), and have facilitated partnerships between HAS and ACOM, as well as workshops for both organizations, attending additionally many Creative Muskoka meetings, exploring a focus on the creative economy.

In 2009, I read Yes Man by British humorist Danny Wallace. His memoir relates a 6-month period in which he committed himself to saying 'Yes' to everything. Aside from finding it to be a laugh-out-loud read I was convinced its premise was a worthy practice. I did absolutely follow it up with my own period of saying ‘yes’ to any request; if it was related to art and the business of art I responded affirmatively (if not at times eagerly, as in the case of live television interviews for I am a reluctant public speaker . . . but that was the point.). The ‘Yes’ approach often took me out of my comfort zone, but the benefits, at times wonderfully surprising, are brighter for it, the path unpredictable and adventurous, and why I recommend this book, a subtle world changer, to you over any other.

My CV, intensely contributed to from 2009-2011 thanks to Danny Wallace, holds special meaning in every entry: collaborations, awards, published images, professional development, innovation, event creation, charitable donations, recognition . . . as well as singularly special opportunity realization:

• 2011  -  Gallery representation, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery, Philadelphia, US
  

• 2011  -  First solo exhibition, the Framing Place & Gallery, Huntsville, Ont
  

• 2010  -  Showing and demonstrating as part of the G8/G20 Media Centre’s Muskoka Corridor, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, Ont
  

• 2010  -  Exhibitor The Art Space gallery’s first exhibition, Eight back from the Lake, an exhibition of the eight artists who represented Muskoka and Canada during the G20, Huntsville, Ont.
  

• 2010  -  Exhibitor Post G8 grand opening of the Canada Summit Centre, Sense of Place exhibition, Huntsville, Ont
  

• 2010  -  Nominated for the YWCA’s Women of Distinction awards in arts/culture and creative energy, Muskoka
  

As President of the Huntsville Art Society (2008-2011), There were so many accomplishments I was privileged to be part of through either assisting, initiating or creating. The following five I am particularly close to and proud of:

• 2011  Project Coordinator: The Pachter Factor  Art exhibition by Contemporary Canadian Icon Charles Pachter, opening as a Nuit Blanche North Extravaganza event including a VIP pre-event with presentation by the Mayor of Huntsville, a paparazzi lined red carpet arrival complete with volunteers portraying the Queen, Prince William, princess Kate, a "Butter Tart Honour Guard," an evening of limo exit public photo op, including exterior entrance wall slide show projection of selected works, and a Projection Injection live feed onto opposite exterior entrance wall of red carpet arrivals onto projected images of Pachter's paintings
  

• 2010  -  Establishment of The Art Space:  Gallery • Workshops    Huntsville’s first non-profit contemporary art gallery venue which offers exhibitions and workshops to the public.
  

• 2010  -  Initiated the establishment of the Town of Huntsville’s Arts Placement Working Committee  A committee formed to shape policy on art in public spaces and buildings in the municipality of Huntsville, which selected and curated local art for the post G8 grand opening of the new Canada Summit Centre Exhibition Hall
  

• 2010 - 2009  - Co-originator of Creativation: Art, Kids, Community 2009/10 A new pilot program offering innovative and challenging programs and activities that support and enhance the Ministry of Education’s Visual Arts Curriculum, as well as expose students to the vast range of creative experiences and visual culture available to them in their local and regional community.
  

• 2010  -  Originator and curator of ArtSHIFT  An exhibition which partnered 5 artists with 5 local industries to explore  creativity and innovation  in local industry, and showcased works which  incorporate those concepts, utilizing related raw materials supplied by  each local industry sponsor.

I am attracted to activities that are intimate and reflective, yet interspersed with sudden emotional extremes . . . so obviously, I own my own set of golf clubs, and fishing tackle.

I am an avid movie watcher, and I rarely miss a night of reading (a real book) -- I adore good science fiction & fantasy. 

Occasionally I do woodworking and minor house renovations with (drool) power tools. 

I enjoy collecting things -- mostly for their appeal and not for having any serious monetary value: black teacups & wine glasses, animal eggcups and salt & pepper shakers, mirrors, old children’s books, weather-worn things -- pretty or unusual rocks/shells/driftwood/fungi, lime-green Christmas ornaments . . . 

. . . to name a few.

My childhood summers were spent as a third-generation cottager on Algonquin Park’s Smoke Lake where I learned to clean fish, canoe, and most importantly, entertain myself without a single item that required electricity for several consecutive weeks at a time -- where imagination was King.
 
I could not imagine a life without LOVE (my children, family, and pets), FOOD (a good book, music) or DREAMS (pencil &  . . . paper).

I measure my success by your connection, your response or reaction to my work. It would mean a lot to me if you would express it, in which ever way you are comfortable.

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Still have a tinge of curiosity left? You can also check out my blog posts on About Me: A Good Question such as 10 interesting things I have done or that have happened to me.