The true origin of my artistic journey was a visually rich childhood spent in a small town on a high farming plateau in Washington State. I was especially drawn to the animals on those picturesque farms. To me, they all had very distinct personalities and a quiet dignity. And, though my adult life took me into big cities, my heart has always been happiest roaming the pasturelands and barnyards.In midlife, I was drawn to oil painting and sought out classes and workshops. I have been very fortunate to train with several excellent painters. My artistic education began with classical training in oil painting and portraiture finally settling into Russian Impressionism. The hallmark of this Russian Impressionistic style is the impact of the rich, glowing light found in the early morning and late evening hours – that luscious low-slung light that electrifies the edges of everything it touches. This is what moves me and this is what I love to paint.