In the woods behind my childhood home grew the remnants of an oak
savanna. Red and white oaks stood as sentinels to the passage of deep
time. Their branches scooped low to the ground. Low enough to climb
aboard. To be embraced by the trees. This place captivated my senses. It fueled my creativity and sparked a lasting reverence for nature. I often experienced a distinct “creative ache” to share this connection by exploring poetry and paintings. In
college I studied Wildlife Management and received a Master's Degree in
Plant Ecology with the intention of pursuing natural history
illustration. After graduate school, I enrolled in several semesters of Drawing for Illustration and Figure Drawing. LOVED them!For
twenty years I worked in the field of Natural Resource Management
enjoying outreach and education to children and youth, technical
writing, as well as, some natural history illustration. However, at some
point I realized my career path did not contain the opportunities I
craved and needed.Today, I am happily fusing my passions for
art, science, and writing together into creative projects. This includes
teaching art to elementary and middle school students via extended
school programs, artist-in-residences, as well as mentoring high school
students in scenic painting. I teach part time as a substitute teacher
in art and science sharing my playful, inquisitive approach to life. By
teaching in emotionally and intellectually meaningful ways, I hope to
inspire students to be creative flexible thinkers.My first children's book, A Thousand Purring Cats, addresses
emotional healing and the power of positive relationships. Purring Cats was published in July 2017. I am currently researching the science
of kindness and am working on two manuscripts that explore this theme.