I first used watercolor paints in junior high with my best friend, Lisa. We painted plein air — away from our parents and younger siblings. I used the cheapest paper and, can you imagine, the 8 color school watercolor sets? I continued my art training in college taking advanced art classes while I pursued a more “practical” degree in Math.

After college I began a computer programming career at IBM in Rochester, MN and raised my two daughters with my husband Tom. I didn’t paint for a number of years until my mother retired. She asked me to accompany her on a painting trip to Ireland in 1996 — so I bought some new paints and paper and we had a terrific time!

My mother and I traveled together and took workshops with the best international watercolor artists. My skills grew with practice and this terrific training. I love the watercolor medium and I continue to paint, teach, and travel.

I think it is important to support the Arts and to promote the watercolor medium. I am a past president of the Georgia Watercolor Society and now serve as the president of the Kentucky Watercolor Society.