Living on the plains in Aurora Colorado, I get much of my inspiration and material on my daily walks.  Fusing art and science in the well-established tradition of botanical illustration while adding a pinch of contemporary style feeds my passion to express myself artistically but remain dedicated to the science of botanical illustration.  I want to inspire art lovers to appreciate the beauty of a dried fallen autumn leaf or a yucca pod that has spilled its seeds.

I am the current President of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists and past Exhibits chair of the same organization.  I received my formal training and certificate from the School of Botanical Art and Illustration at the Denver Botanical Gardens.

Education:

University of Phoenix, Bachelors of Science in Business Management

School of Botanical Artists and Illustration at the Denver Botanical Gardens

Gallery Exhibits:

Wicked Plants -  ACAD and Cherokee Castle   2015

Filoli – 17th Annual Botanical Art Exhibit    2015

RARE II traveling Exhibit      2015-2017

Drawn from Nature, Denver Botanical Gardens   2014-2015

High on Botanicals, Square Deal Gallery    2014

Small Works, ASBA Colorado conference    2014

Gateway to the Rockies, Aurora History Museum  2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Wild and Wonderful, The Wildlife Experience   2013

Healing Plants, Denver Botanical Gardens   2012

Contemporary Traditions, Denver Botanical Gardens  2012

Publications:

Small Works, botanical illustration – published in 2014

Practice makes Perfect, botanical illustration, published in 2014

RARE II Imperiled Plants of Colorado – published in 2015

Painted Sky 106 Artists of the Rocky Mountain West – to be published December 2015

Special Achievements:

2014 – 2nd Place for 2 Dimensional Art on Yucca glauca - received from Gateway to the Rockies

Organization memberships:

American Society of Botanical Artists

Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists – Current President

I painted the mask with Colorado icons in mind. I used watercolors in depicting Colorado’s State flower the Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea), fall aspen leaves (Populus tremuloides) and the Colorado State Flag.  This is a wonderful state with so much to be appreciated, that was why I chose the different icons of Colorado.