I grew up in Fresno, and made my escape in 1971 – all the way to Stockton to attend University of the Pacific. My parents vetoed art college (my first choice) because they were afraid I’d become a hippie. They allowed me to enroll instead at UOP’s Callison College (now the School of International Studies), which ironically, was a very hippified college! Aside from a year’s study of ceramics in Japan and a short course in Chinese calligraphy, I didn’t take a single art class in college – there were too many other subjects I became interested in. I did manage to draw and paint for fun, and usually illustrated my term papers when appropriate (or not). I graduated in 1975 with a B.A. in International Studies, the first year that degree was offered at UOP.

In 1997 I finally managed to attend California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland for two semesters of drawing and painting classes, then I moved back to Stockton in 1978 to marry Allen Wilcox (Allen taught ceramics and art history at UOP from 1970 until his death in 1983). For several years I did free-lance art work and calligraphy, then worked for UOP as a graphic artist for the administration and faculty. This was my last “real” job and all pre-computer!

I married Tony Guidon in 1985, and have spent most of the years since raising two kids (Joel, 19 and Sarah, 16), renovating houses and trying to channel my creative impulses into my hapless family and slightly eccentric domestic arena!

P.S. I’d still like to go to art College and become a hippie artist when I grow up!