I seem to always be on a quest  to experience new artistic mediums!  Most of my art-life has come from various educational experiences in California, Florida, France and New Mexico.  Many of the things that I’ve undertaken have been substantially self-taught, having often come from a strong desire to learn a particular method with no viable means of  local instruction.  I have also had the great advantage of being able to obtain instruction from some extraordinary people! 

I thoroughly enjoy painting…ON ANYTHING!  Often times, I have found myself painting something to alter its state enough to save it from the dumpster!  I’ve even completely covered my mother’s floral couch with latex paint to create a faux-finish leather look!  Wasn’t real cozy, but you sure could spill anything you wanted on it!   It now serves as “indoor/outdoor” furniture in Florida!

Do you remember in grade school, how the teacher used to staple the green panels above the chalkboard that had the alphabet on them with the little arrows that showed you how to write them?  Well, somehow, that was the beginning of my love of lettering which led me, many years later, to want to become a sign painter.  I owned and operated my own sign business called “Art Gecko Signs” from my Florida home for seven years.  I painted any type of sign that didn’t require electrical or installation on trucks, boats, buildings, walls, etc. 

My love of hand-lettering continued, though in an effort to get me down off of the ladder, my husband and I decided to open a contemporary, paint-your-own-pottery studio.  In 1995, Earth & Fire was born in Naples, Florida.  Focusing our attention on the clients’ creative journey, we developed a supportive, enabling atmosphere where a person could explore his or her creativity.  (And, oh yeah, I got to paint too!)  Having no experience of any kind with ceramics, we jumped in feet-first for ten great years of owner operation.

It was during the Earth & Fire years that I became interested in making jewelry.  My curiosity about making glass beads got the best of me.  I researched my options and purchased a little Hot Head Torch and Cindy Jenkins’ book on how to make glass beads.  I would sit out in the Florida garage, sweating and swatting mosquitoes for hours melting glass!  After graduating from the Hot Head Torch up to an oxygen/propane mix torch, my Florida garage grew some french doors and became my much-more-comfortable studio!

In 2005 Earth & Fire was sold to embark on a new adventure.  Having moved to New Mexico, we have renovated a 103 year-old house and a 90-year old bank building in the town of Capitan (home of Smokey Bear).  Named “Oso Art,” these buildings will house a gallery, workshop, studio and residence to promote the artists of New Mexico and beyond!