I have loved drawing from nature since I was a little girl. Growing up in a time when a child could freely wander through countryside and woods, I observed, explored and noticed details and differences through the changing seasons. My father was an avid gardener and I trailed around after him, eager to dig and plant and make things grow. When I wasn't helping in the garden I was drawing and I took much of my inspiration from the natural world around me.

One of my earliest memories is of coloring with my grandmother who taught me not to scribble, but to take my time, make even strokes and find the rhythm with my crayon; my first exercise in patient diligence. Using markers and pen and ink, I spent my later childhood creating intricate designs, in vivid colors. They were mazes of lines and forms, but always organic in nature.

At Parsons School of Design, I learned to draw what I see. Transforming a colorful subject into black and white, I explored the use of light and shadow in pencil studies. As a student of textile design, my love of nature and color came together to create painted floral patterns. I learned about composition, balance and developed my own style of drawing with my paint brush, building layers of detail, petal by petal.

Busy with the demands of family and a teaching career, I put my artwork on hold until now. The paintings and drawings in this portfolio are a reflection of my love for the subject and my desire to create something lasting and beautiful. Still taking my time and finding the rhythm, I hope to share my particular vision with you.