I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in studio art from Kutztown University in 1988 and my Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in visual arts education from Rhode Island School of Design in 1992. I am an art teacher and the department coordinator at Penncrest High School and I teach Drawing, Painting, Art II, Art III and Portfolio Preparation. Some of my other teaching experiences include teaching studio classes at the Wayne Art Center and teaching a course entitled "Introduction to Visual Arts Education" at the University of the Arts. In addition, I also teach private art classes to middle and high school aged students.
My work is inspired by nature, my travels, and those around me. My flower and foliage paintings are inspired by my visits to botanical gardens and my love of Longwood Gardens. Each season at Longwood Gardens provides a new spark for creativity and I never find myself short for ideas. My landscape drawings and paintings focus on my travels, both locally and abroad. Lastly, I love to create portraits of people and animals. Other than portrait commissions, most of my portraits are of family and friends. I always find it a challenge to capture the likeness and well as the personality of my sitter. Many of my animal portraits are of the animals at the Philadelphia Zoo. I have always had a love of animals, especially the big cats.