A part of the journey is the process...
The Artist.
My mother says the first time she realized I had a gifting for art was when I was four and brought her something I had traced. She later went into the room I was in and saw that I wasn't tracing.
I was always drawing, creating, being crafty from making floats with popsicle sticks and foil candy wrappers to designing clothes for dolls.
During my elementary and Jr high years, I felt that if I could incorporate art in the subject, I would get a better grade. Sixth grade made a game of for history. My front cover for algebra graphs had favor from all my teachers. Also, in my John Glenn Jr. High years I was the 'Capsules' cartoonist. It was in my 7th grade that I won 2nd place for the '20th year' anniversary for the United Nations poster contest.
High School afforded me many opportunities from art club, window art in downtown No. St. Paul, homecoming and Sno Daze buttons and much more. I won most of the contests.
I went to Minneapolis Vocational School for Commercial Art. Seemed to be more affordable than college and as my parents said, "You can't make a living on Art." After a time I went to Metropolitan Jr. College for a semester. They still have some of my art in their collection. (or so they said).
Everywhere I went there were opportunities to excel and get noticed. From album covers, murals, t shirt designs, cartoons, painting and wedding photography.
At Anoka Ramsey Community College (at that time), I had my first one woman art showing with drawings from models. I also was given an opportunity to teach community art classes as well as teach Design class I and II while someone was on leave.
Transferring to Hamline University, due to the encouragement of my art instructor, Jim Conway, I found a wealth of art and amazing teachers. They were very supported. Traveled to Greece and latter to Italy for interums with Dr. Fred Leach. During my years at Hamline, I received the drawer of the year award, the all around artist award, and numerous inquires to purchase my art from our Senior Art Show (I hung on to them....I now know to let them go!)
Than life stepped in. Baby, marriage in that order. Followed by more babies. And after three years life happened again. This time I found myself in church and for the first time started to realize how much there is to God, to Jesus Christ, to my life starting out fresh and loved.
I was always drawing, creating, being crafty from making floats with popsicle sticks and foil candy wrappers to designing clothes for dolls.
During my elementary and Jr high years, I felt that if I could incorporate art in the subject, I would get a better grade. Sixth grade made a game of for history. My front cover for algebra graphs had favor from all my teachers. Also, in my John Glenn Jr. High years I was the 'Capsules' cartoonist. It was in my 7th grade that I won 2nd place for the '20th year' anniversary for the United Nations poster contest.
High School afforded me many opportunities from art club, window art in downtown No. St. Paul, homecoming and Sno Daze buttons and much more. I won most of the contests.
I went to Minneapolis Vocational School for Commercial Art. Seemed to be more affordable than college and as my parents said, "You can't make a living on Art." After a time I went to Metropolitan Jr. College for a semester. They still have some of my art in their collection. (or so they said).
Everywhere I went there were opportunities to excel and get noticed. From album covers, murals, t shirt designs, cartoons, painting and wedding photography.
At Anoka Ramsey Community College (at that time), I had my first one woman art showing with drawings from models. I also was given an opportunity to teach community art classes as well as teach Design class I and II while someone was on leave.
Transferring to Hamline University, due to the encouragement of my art instructor, Jim Conway, I found a wealth of art and amazing teachers. They were very supported. Traveled to Greece and latter to Italy for interums with Dr. Fred Leach. During my years at Hamline, I received the drawer of the year award, the all around artist award, and numerous inquires to purchase my art from our Senior Art Show (I hung on to them....I now know to let them go!)
Than life stepped in. Baby, marriage in that order. Followed by more babies. And after three years life happened again. This time I found myself in church and for the first time started to realize how much there is to God, to Jesus Christ, to my life starting out fresh and loved.
It wasn't long...
It wasn't long before opportunities again found me. I drew pictures for curriculiums, created back drops and props for puppets as well as a director. (not the hand sock puppets more like sesame street.) I designed and made sets for children churches. Also, was able to do choreography and drama.
Ten years after my BA from Hamline University. I was asked along with a sculptor, Shawn Fischer class of '79 and a ceramic sculptor, Gary Erickson class of '80, to do an alumni exhibition. I was honored. I must admit, with three little children and now a single parent, the drawings / paintings were more personal and not much of it. God meet me and helped put together a great exhibit of what was going on with my life and art at this time.
My next miracle door came when I was allowed to teach (since my degree was not for teaching) K-5 art (on a cart since there was no room designated for me) The next year it was K-8 with a room after that, K-12. I was responsible for creating the curriculum but really it was all God inspired!
After leaving the school, I was asked to illustrate four childrens books. My photography began to abound (I believe I had given many photos for numerous events and things were starting to come back to me.)
I had received a call from Bill Sandburg of Sandburg Mortuary in N. St. Paul. He asked if I would be interested in representing them in a snow carving scultpure contest. It was the coldest of winters in February of 1995 and never had I ever done anything like it or as big before. I decided to create a snow angel with the banner 'HOPE' across it. I took first place.
Painting have been murels, paintings, illustrations, portraits, weddings, family portraits, senior sittings, and but not limited to special events.
Traveled on mission trips to Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, Batom as well as vacations to Aruba, Hawaii and St. Martinez to name a few.
Now is the time that I feel directed to press into my gifting of art. Thank you Pastor Mark Harper and Brian Sullivan for having faith in me. Thank you Karen Tobler for your support and encouragment and setting me up with a show at Exit Realty Nexus and one coming to Exit Realty Metro. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you Calvin DeRuyter for showing me a new approach to getting out of the box. We have a beautiful mutual respect for each other. Thank you to my friends and family for believing in me. Thank you DIVAs (Dreams In Vivid Action) for reminding me that dreams can become a reality. And thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who makes it all possible if only I believe.
Ten years after my BA from Hamline University. I was asked along with a sculptor, Shawn Fischer class of '79 and a ceramic sculptor, Gary Erickson class of '80, to do an alumni exhibition. I was honored. I must admit, with three little children and now a single parent, the drawings / paintings were more personal and not much of it. God meet me and helped put together a great exhibit of what was going on with my life and art at this time.
My next miracle door came when I was allowed to teach (since my degree was not for teaching) K-5 art (on a cart since there was no room designated for me) The next year it was K-8 with a room after that, K-12. I was responsible for creating the curriculum but really it was all God inspired!
After leaving the school, I was asked to illustrate four childrens books. My photography began to abound (I believe I had given many photos for numerous events and things were starting to come back to me.)
I had received a call from Bill Sandburg of Sandburg Mortuary in N. St. Paul. He asked if I would be interested in representing them in a snow carving scultpure contest. It was the coldest of winters in February of 1995 and never had I ever done anything like it or as big before. I decided to create a snow angel with the banner 'HOPE' across it. I took first place.
Painting have been murels, paintings, illustrations, portraits, weddings, family portraits, senior sittings, and but not limited to special events.
Traveled on mission trips to Mexico, Peru, Indonesia, Batom as well as vacations to Aruba, Hawaii and St. Martinez to name a few.
Now is the time that I feel directed to press into my gifting of art. Thank you Pastor Mark Harper and Brian Sullivan for having faith in me. Thank you Karen Tobler for your support and encouragment and setting me up with a show at Exit Realty Nexus and one coming to Exit Realty Metro. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you Calvin DeRuyter for showing me a new approach to getting out of the box. We have a beautiful mutual respect for each other. Thank you to my friends and family for believing in me. Thank you DIVAs (Dreams In Vivid Action) for reminding me that dreams can become a reality. And thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who makes it all possible if only I believe.
