Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays
Welcome!
You're invited to visit my
portfolio and see my work!
Welcome!
You're invited to visit my
portfolio and see my work!
Little did I know a European adventure soon after college would result in finding two of the greatest loves in my life – one, love with a wonderful husband and the other, a love for folk art painting. Both fill my life with joy and happiness every day.
I grew up in a small California town outside San Francisco. I was attracted to
Little did I know a European adventure soon after college would result in finding two of the greatest loves in my life – one, love with a wonderful husband and the other, a love for folk art painting. Both fill my life with joy and happiness every day.
I grew up in a small California town outside San Francisco. I was attracted to art in its many forms, even while attending my small town high school, Washington Union High, as a "Huskie " in the marching band. After graduating from San Jose State University in elementary education, and two years of teaching, I accepted a job in the U.S. military dependent schools in Germany.
Living and working in Germany, I became enthralled with both the people and the beautiful art around me. I also met and married a handsome young Army officer, who has remained my love for over 50 years! I discovered my other lifelong love when I took a painting class in Bauernmalerei, the folk art painting native to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
I soon found out there were endless styles of Bauernmalerei, which literally means peasant’s or farmer’s painting. I was hooked!
Over the years, I've continued taking classes and learned other European styles such as Dutch folk art painting from Hindeloopen, The Netherlands, English Long Boat painting, and Rosenmaling, the folk art of Scandinavia, Os style being my favorite. Recently, I have been painting in the Zhostovo style from Russia. I also paint in the American folk art style which has its roots in European folk art.
I am now retired from teaching and live again in California. My husband and I love to travel and wherever we go, I look for native folk art painting in order to learn new techniques and styles.
Learning is a never-ending journey. During most of my years teaching, painting was my way to relax and create. Since retiring, I am able to devote more time to painting, perfecting my craft and developing as an artist.
I use acrylic paint on my art work. Acrylic paint is great for folk art because it dries quickly and permanently. In former times, painters made their own paint using eggs, milk, animal blood, rocks, and materials from nature.
How lucky we are nowadays to have a paint that is easy to use and comes in an endless array of colors.
I use acrylic paint on my art work. Acrylic paint is great for folk art because it dries quickly and permanently. In former times, painters made their own paint using eggs, milk, animal blood, rocks, and materials from nature.
How lucky we are nowadays to have a paint that is easy to use and comes in an endless array of colors. Unlike oils, acrylic paint is non-toxic as well as long lasting so you are able to enjoy your art work for many years and not be concerned with colors fading.
Folk art painting was originally used to decorate personal household possessions, dishware and rustic wood furniture by peasants or farmers during their winter off season months but nowadays can be found on paintable surfaces anywhere.
I was even commissioned to design and create a painting on an electrical street unit for the City of San Jose. My design included neighborhood landmarks in different seasons of the year, one for each side of the unit in the American folk art style.
From wall art, boxes and trays to small jewelry and Christmas ornaments, I enjoy the challenge of creating original works of art on many traditional and non traditional surfaces and items.
Painting is my passion and I am inspired by the painted folk art I see from all over the world as well as from my fellow folk artists and teachers.
I’ve studied the painting techniques of famed artist Sonja Wullschleger in Switzerland, renowned and respected California painter, Carl Larson and Russian painter, Misha Lebedev. Fo
Painting is my passion and I am inspired by the painted folk art I see from all over the world as well as from my fellow folk artists and teachers.
I’ve studied the painting techniques of famed artist Sonja Wullschleger in Switzerland, renowned and respected California painter, Carl Larson and Russian painter, Misha Lebedev. For the last 25 years, I have attended a weekly painting class, continuing to perfect my painting skills.
I am also inspired by creating art that will be used in everyday life. Especially in difficult times, I believe that gazing at beautiful art, no matter how small, creates an inner spiritual peace and uplifts everyone with a sense of joy.