We all love animals because they manage so uniquely, to reach our souls without the gift of speech, and, the more you get to know them, the more you love them. Woe is the person who can resist their ability to conquer our independence and warm our hearts.

From textiles, winning 2nd place in the American Pet Manufacturers Association for a pet bed design, a children's book, book jackets, and murals, I have worked on a variety of projects and also managed a small business creating several lines of note cards. But I fell in love with the technique of oil painting and, so I decided to pursue this passion, specifically, critters.

Not only am I passionate about the magic of oil painting, I think of my talent as a gift that I should honor, I am always happy to get a project, big or small, I gladly do my research and put my heart and soul into it.

I enjoy working with people, plants and animals, it gives me positive affirmations and just being able to bring happiness and a little bit of cheer to those people through my artwork gives my life great purpose.

I've been told that I would be very successful doing this genre of art as it is apparent that I have a definite knack for it. My favored pet is an Italian greyhound, she is blind and fifteen, livin' the good life. I love her so much, we had so many good times, and as she grew older, I pondered and often thought, what will I have to fill the closeness that we "had" when she goes? So my fourth topic for oil painting was to paint my own dog, Sissy. I knew I had to paint her beauty and charm, she was thirteen at the time. I shocked myself with the freehand accuracy of this particular project and was pleased with the outcome right down to the playful quilt design. I know all of you will enjoy your Faithful Friends Pet Portrait for a long time. The paintings are truly heirlooms and, in a way, it's like our pets are still with us, because with a tribute to them, their stories carry on. I cherish mine.