I’m a writer, painter and wife. Putting words on a page, or paint on a canvas, fills my days. Being a wife fills my life.

I’ve loved words and story as long as I have had a memory. My love for visual art followed almost immediately, and I’ve been pursuing both ever since, except for that short period of time when I lost my mind and studied math in college. The 18 year stint as a musician and songwriter left very little time for me to paint and write, but now it’s what I spend all my time on.

Most of the things a professional bio would say would also be mostly uninteresting to you. Suffice it to say, I have painted and sold, written and been published.

I’m not “Oprah” famous, but people outside of my family have reviewed my work and gone on record as liking it. Magazines, newspapers, radio and tv shows have liked it enough to mention, interview or print me.

It’s hard work to be creative, and respect for the daily routine keeps me productive. I am a writer and painter because I write and paint, so I have to show up and do the work. Sometimes it’s easy and I pinch myself that this is what I “get” to do. But most days, it is simply hard work and requires every ounce of my reserves to face the empty page or canvas. Sometimes I’m courageous and sometimes I take a nap.

I usually paint for a couple of shows each year, and do commission work in between. I try to work on a book each year, but find the hours shrinking in my days.  I’ve negotiated with God about arranging for 29 hours in a day, so far, no deal. So I’ll try to get better at managing the alloted hours in a standard day.

As a painter, I work in a wide range of subjects and styles. My contemplative paintings of everyday items like bowls, chairs, desks, fish or dresses present a sacramental reverence for the quotidian nature of life. Finding significance in the everyday is a topic I return to often, in both my writing and painting. I am probably most known for my iconic, Italian Renaissance inspired paintings, presented like aged frescoes. But I enjoy painting a variety of styles.  The conceptual pieces give me some room to air out my verbal painter, the ladies allow me to tell a few stories.

As far as my writing and my books, I try to use all the letters and words, and not waste the space on any pages.  Daily living is a full page in and of itself, and I love finding the places where life and meaning intersect.  Throw in a few poet’s emotions, a hopeful word-count of around 1200, and I feel I’ve had a good day in the writing studio.

When I can’t paint I write. When I can’t write, I paint.  When I can’t do either, I’m less than content.