My hometown of Whittemore, Iowa…was and still is comprised of many descendants of the original homesteading farmers. Growing up there, everyone was valued, talented and gifted...at least they made you feel that way. It was a lucky beginning for me as an artist, for that is where I learned to appreciate the simple and beautiful moments of nature. Our community depended on Mother Nature to sustain its lifestyle, so it was important to be able to read the weather, watch nature and understand her signs each day in order to plan our activities and work. I learned to respect her might, yet look for her silver lining...the beautiful essence that contrasted her power. This, I try to capture in my paintings today. Living in San Diego affords me the opportunity to paint landscapes all year round.

ACTIVITIES:
In addition to my love of nature, I like to think I have inherited a little of my great-grandparent's pioneering spirit. When not at my easel, I enjoy flying (private pilot license 1998), sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and boating. Member US Coast Guard Auxiliary/Air Division and a Professor of Drawing and Color at a local college.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor's Degree: Drawing and Painting: Briar Cliff University, IA
Master's Degree: Art History: University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Art Student's League Denver: Studied with Doug Dawson, Buffalo Kaplinski, Mark Thompson
Painting Travels: Alaska, Australia, Bahamas Islands, Canada, England, Italy, Mexico

AWARDS, EXHIBITIONS, RECOGNITION:
2008: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: 1ST PLACE-Landscape Category
2008: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: 3RD PLACE-Still Life Category
2008: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: HONORABLE MENTION-Watercolor Category
2007: "Hunter Hawker" painting has permanant home at ATACUSA
(Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, Newport News, VA) www.atacusa.com
2007: Invitational Exhibition: IMPACT: 20 YEARS: ONE, Art Student's League, Denver, CO
2006: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: 3 HONORABLE MENTIONS
2005: Book cover painting: Meditations and Transformations: A Guide to Spiritual Growth,
by Wendy Chaffin. Published December 2005
2005: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: SECOND PLACE: Landscape category
2005: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition: SECOND PLACE: Still life category
2005: EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI: Aviation Art, Juried One Year Exhibition
2004: Southwest Art Magazine, p. 36-37, December, 2004 issue
2004: San Diego Fair Del Mar: Art Exhibition, HONORABLE MENTION
2003: Catherine Lorillard Wolf Exhibition, New York, NY
2003: San Diego Colored Pencil Exhibition, HONORABLE MENTION
2002: City of El Cajon, CA, Painting Exhibition, FIRST PLACE
2002: Master’s of the Moment El Cajon, CA, BEST OF SHOW
2000: Drawing published in Exploring Colored Pencil by Sandra Angelo
1996: The Dictionary of Art, Macmillan publisher: my research included on Andrea Spinelli
1995: Louisville National Painting Exhibition, Louisville, CO, MERIT AWARD
1994: Longmont Annual Open Exhibition, Longmont, CO, BEST OF SHOW
1991: Art Zone 8-State Exhibition, Denver, CO, THIRD PLACE
1990: Am. Artist's Prof. League Grand Nat. Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
1987: Four Colorado Artists, Royce Galleries of Denver, CO, FEATURED ARTIST
1987: Artist Invitational La Porta Gallery, Englewood, CO, FEATURED ARTIST
1987: CHANNEL 4 TV FIRST NEWS: Artist Interview