P O R T R A I T A R T I S T
My choice to become a portrait artist can be traced back to childhood. Being raised in a pastor's home, I spent a lot of time having to sit still and entertain myself while surrounded by various and interesting faces. A pencil and paper turned out to be my favorite toy and by the age of 7 I had already discovered the rewards of getting a likeness.
I was born in Montana, and raised in 6 different towns in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. My career in the art field began in Phoenix AZ where I got my first job as an artist at Keyes Art Service, an art studio specializing in yellow page ads. My art education consists of two years of a graphics program at Spokane Falls College. The bulk of my skills are a result of many years of self-teaching from a large selection of instructional materials. The style of portrait artist Daniel Green has had a strong influence on my portrait work.
Portraits were my first love, and when I started a family I was drawn back to them. In 1988, I got my first set of pastels. I have been working in pastels since that day. It is a thrill to be able to create beautiful artwork that can have such a deep sentimental value to it's owner.
In recent years, country surroundings have had an influence on my choices of subject matter outside of my portrait business. I have always loved the powerful, graceful beauty of horses, and since moving to a ranch near Upton Wyoming in 1998, I have taken on the challenge of painting them.
Most of my portraits are in pastel, but I also work in pencil, oil, watercolor,
and charcoal. I have had the opportunity to illustrate a children's book,
Butch and the Rooster, by Judy Hess 
and to create a coloring book of alphabet characters called "Alphatoons" to
accompany a CD of songs by Randy Crane and Rhonda Erickson. These items
may also be ordered from me via e-mail. I also have available note cards
with any of the images seen on the prints pages of this website. A
selection of 5 cards and envelopes may be special ordered and assembled as requested.
On a little more personal note:
I have two really great sons who are grown
up and out on their own.
Darren is
27, a college grad, and is living and working in Huntington Beach California.
Kyle, on the left, is 24, has completed 2 years of college and is now working,
enrolled in Yellowstone bible college in Billings Montana and a vital part of
his church music and youth ministry. Both are single.... no
grandkids yet! If you want to know more about why Jesus Christ is our guide and
savior
take a look
My husband Bill is a genuine Wyoming rancher who loves the land and it's maker.
This is a recent oil portrait of him with his favorite horse Charlie. See another oil portrait of Bill here
While my two boys were growing up I enjoyed teaching after school and summer drawing classes for the neighborhood kids. Since then I have taught classes both privately and in connection with various educational programs and clubs.
I seldom enter competitions, but have won some awards through the years. In 2002 I was able to collect a selection of my commissioned portraits from their owners for a one-artist display entitled "Images of the Heart" held at the Heritage Center Gallery in Gillette, WY. I hope to do that again in the future. In 2003, 2004, and 2006 I was thrilled to receive the People's Choice award at the Spearfish Center for the Arts Annual Winter Art Show.
Portrait Gallery 2 Portrait Gallery 3 Portrait Gallery 1
Portrait
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Learn more about where to find my artwork at- Recent Works-Show schedule
(note: I do not have access to my email at home so it may take awhile for you to receive a response)
Call me at (307)468-2888 Or write at: p.o. box 711 upton, wy 82730