I have always loved to draw and paint. This interest led me to pursue an education in the arts at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where I graduated in 1987 with a BA in Humanities and a minor in Art History. After graduation, I moved to San Diego, California and enjoyed a career in sales and merchandising over the next ten years.  I always felt something was missing though, and came to realize I had gotten away from my passion to create art.  I decided to start my own business in 1996 called Paint, Glaze & Fire!, a ceramics studio, located in Encinitas, California. Working with customers to help nurture and advance their own creativity made me realize that art was in my soul and painting was my favorite form of expression. I have since sold my business and have been painting full time ever since.  I have stayed in touch with my joy of teaching by working with high school students, as well as running a local PTA art program at the elementary school level.