I have been "tole" painting since 1988.  My interest in art began in my high school years where I majored in Art, Illustration, Lettering and Design.  My thoughts were that I wanted to someday be an illustrator for children's books.  That was until my junior year.  It was during that year that I met my husband Jay and I promptly changed my major to Home Economics.  That wasn't a bad move considering we have been married for over 30 years now and learning how to cook had a lot to do with that.

 

We have three grown children and four beautiful grandchildren (are there any other kind?).  Our oldest daughter lives in Eastern Washington with her husband, a police officer, and our two oldest grandchildren, Shelby and Wyatt.  Our son, who followed in the footsteps of his father and became a police officer, lives nearby with his wife and another of our grandchildren, Madison.  Our youngest daughter, her husband and their daughter Eden also live nearby and work for the same law enforcement agency where my husband and son work.  We're just a family full of law enforcement professionals.....I always feel safe that's for sure!

 

I began designing my own pattern packets and teaching decorative painting back in 1994.  From 1995 to early 1998 I worked as the manager of The Painting Goose in Temecula, California.  My first book, "Just Snow You Know" was published by Blue Ridge Publications in 1998.  "Just About Autumn" followed in 1999, also published by Blue Ridge.  In the year 2000, under the encouragement and guidance of my close friend, Sandi Strecker, I ventured into the realm of self-publishing.  My first attempt at this, "Just Some Things" arrived early in the year and it came with a whole lot of lessons that I needed to learn about this business.  "Just This and That" was released early in 2001 and continues to be a great blessing.  "Just a Thing or Two" was released in February 2002, followed by "Just In Time for Tinsel" in 2003, and "Just Believe in Angels" in 2004.  There are no plans for another book anytime in the near future, but packets will continue as long as I am able to paint!

 

I could not leave this biography without giving credit for the incredible path my painting life has taken to my Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was not until I finally, and in all honesty, reluctantly gave my control of this area of my life over to Him that I began to realize the "desires of my heart."  There are still lots of times when I try to "do it myself", but eventually I come back to giving the pencils, brushes and paint over to the Lord.  That's when it all seems to come together and I know that "Everything will be fine...Just Fine...Really...It'll be fine." - - Revised November, 2006