I was born in Denver, CO but have lived in Charlottesville, VA for most of my life. This has been an ideal area for me due to my intense love of horses, animals and the mountains. I have been divorced for many years, and consider my small zoo to be my “children”. I own a Farmers Insurance Agency that I personally started 7 years ago, and I was Agent of the Year in our district in 2004. We are a full line Property and Casualty and Life and Health agency and I am also licensed to sell securities. My four Brussels Griffons make up an official welcoming committee for anyone who visits our offices.

I started riding horses when I was four years old, and was showing by the time I was ten. I currently show locally and on the “A” show circuit; most commonly in the Adult Amateur Hunter Division. I’ve also successfully shown young horses in jumper divisions throughout Virginia for many different barns. My expertise is starting young horses, rehabilitating thoroughbreds from the racetrack, and working through the problems of horses that others find difficult to ride. The better part of my life has been spent in the saddle preparing for horse shows, but I also enjoy kayaking, downhill skiing, Country and Western and Ballroom dancing, tennis and cake decorating.

My entire life has been spent collecting animals. I’ve had everything from snakes, exotic lizards and prairie dogs to pot bellied pigs. Currently I am owned by two show horses, a miniature burro, six parrots, Sugar Gliders, two Boston Terriers and four Brussels Griffons. I met and bonded with my first Griff in 2001, and my life has been forever changed. Never before have I had such a relationship with a dog as I have with my Griffies. They are a part of me, reading every thought and feeling, and sharing all aspects of my life. They even allow me to sleep in their bed!

My artwork is absolutely an inspired gift that I don’t completely understand. I have had no formal training. In fact, had I not been encouraged by a close friend in high school, I never would have realized I had such an aptitude! From 1984 to 1993 I completed no more than 20 pieces; mostly pencil sketches, with a few oil paintings tossed in for good measure.

In November of 2005, it suddenly occurred to me that my creative side was absolutely starving since it had been years since I had attempted any artwork. Since then I’ve been honored to have the opportunity to complete many interesting commissioned pieces; many of which have pulled me into new mediums and subjects. So far, I have enjoyed working in pencil, acrylics, oils, and soft pastels. It is very common to see me with pencil in hand, a Griff on each shoulder, and a head in my lap while I’m trying desperately to work on minute details while avoiding wet beards resulting from frequent trips to the water dish. I often joke that my 3.8 lb Micro-Griff Cosmo should also be signing the drawings since he is so frequently in the role of supervisor!

It brings me great joy when the person who has commissioned my work really recognizes his/her beloved pet. I am thrilled to be in a position to help someone forever document the way he/she wants to remember this treasured family member. While I do work from photos, it is not necessary to provide an exact photo for me to duplicate. Some of the most rewarding projects have utilized many different images, combining favorite aspects into one work.