I was born in Denver, Colorado and lived in Colorado until 1977.  A small chalkboard and an adopted brother’s encouragement are responsible for my early interest in art.  Art was and is playtime.  Years later, my mother was convinced I had some talent and enrolled me in a children’s art class at the Denver Art Museum, and I tried oil painting and sculpting.  When my children were small, I took evening sculpting classes with a gifted Colorado artist and teacher.  This sculpting class gave me a chance to work with raku clay and glazes.  It was raku’s primitive firing process and seeing the final sculpture hot and glowing like melting butter that I found amazing.  

After our move to Texas in 1977, I was lucky enough to find a brief class in oil painting again.  Another class opening in portrait drawing gave me a chance to study with a second Texan artist.  I never stopped playing with art materials and tried some painting on my own, but it was difficult to find kiln space for sculpting.

Watercolor painting seemed like a less messy medium, and we had room in our new Colorado home thanks to a handy husband.  I think it was while watching Colette Pitcher’s first demonstration of dropping watercolor paint onto wet paper that made me want to explore and take a chance in watercolor painting.  I can’t explain how or why it amazes me to watch the paints flow, blend and interact.  The Greeley Art Association group and their guest artists have opened a great opportunity to learn new perspectives and techniques.  Dora Hagge’s workshop, sitting next to and watching people with great talent doing art, and having the encouragement from classmates and instructors are priceless.   Delilah Fiechter’s classes in watercolor under glazes are showing me even more possibilities.  I’m discovering a number of things, and art continues to be fun.   My second session with Barbara Wolf’s art class will be at the Greeley Senior Center.  Meanwhile, I continue to look forward to painting with the Divas at Greeley’s Showcase.

Art From the Heart G.A.A.       2008, 2009

Mari Michner Art Gallery          2008, 2009