While I was born and raised outside of NY City, I've lived in Portland, Oregon for the last 18 years. Portland is a great, small city with fantastic people and lots to offer. There is always something to do whether it's urban culture - theater, dance, resturants - or spending time in nature. I live about an hour from the Pacific Ocean, the snow topped mountains and the high desert. OK, the high desert is a little farther away, but everything is right here.

My partner, J'aime, our dog, Sunny and our four cats, Tango, Millie, Pheobe and Stella, live on an oversized lot in Southeast Portland. J'aime is a master gardener, which means that our home is surrounded by magical plants and flowers. I don't do much work in the yard, except to mow and I always help on big projects... like building rock walls, digging up grass and lugging stuff around. Many of the flowers have found their way into my paintings.

When I am not in my studio, in front of the computer or on the phone, I am often found in downtown Portland with my dance co-horts: Jen, Meshi and Paula. The four of us teach dance together. Primarily we teach from a body of work known as Soul Motion, which was designed by Vinn Marti. You can learn more at www.soulmotion.com. This will take you to Vinns web site, but for local classes contact us: team_soul_motion@excite.com. Our team website is in the works.

My daily life inspires me and many of the elements that you see in my artwork come from my experience - the flowers, dance, and the antics of the animals both those I live with and those I observe in the wild. And yes, sometimes those I see in captivity. Their personalities and playfulness are a constant source of fun and sometimes frustration... why does Stella feel compelled to constant meowing? Doesn't she know it grates on my nerves? (Probably she knows it and enjoys my funny antics.)

Certainly the magical surroundings of my home, and the wonders of life have inspired my creativity.

I'm grateful for it all!

Life is good!