I'm inspired by daily life, all of those small moments that need to be noticed. I'm filled with a sense of purpose to share a gratitude for this beautiful, imperfect world. From early childhood It's been the visual language that has been the most natural way for me to communicate. I grew up in sunny West Texas where the horizon stretched out forever and there wasn't a lot of traditional beauty. Intense light and color and texture are a driving force in creating these paintings. Beauty found in ordinary life. My process is to paint directly from still life set ups near a bright window in my studio. It's a converted sun porch which I share with my artist/professor husband. I add text and other collage elements as a way of expanding the image. Found text and bits from maps or vintage childrens books are woven into the paint like all of the influences and thoughts that work their way into the act of looking. Polka dots and stripes are an undulating grid that remind me of the energy and life that floods everything.