I currently live in the Sacramento, California area and began my art education in high school. A special mentor taught me how to oil paint and took me to art shows -- this was the beginning of a life-long love of oil painting. I studied portraiture with my mentor until I graduated from high school. Because of my Native American heritage, I was able to study art at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the Fall of 1982. I left school to work and raise my son, but returned to college (U.C. Davis) to study art. I graduated in 1998 with a B.A. degree in Studio Art. While at school, I studied the figure in charcoal and oil paint. I also was involved in a Women's art group (Women's Art Practice-WAP) which provided me with the study of women in art and a supportive network of women artists. After many studies and a group show depicting my figures, I decided to investigate my Indian heritage in a way that was true to me. My grandmother went to a U.S. Government boarding school in the early 1900's called the Stewart Indian School in Nevada. As a result of my research, including a visit to the school itself, several paintings were created that are included in this portforlio. I also studied theory and techniques relating to color and oil paint withWayne Thiebaud, one of my professors at Davis. Another influence, which took me totally by surprise, was the summer art institute I attended the last year of college at U.C. Davis. We were told to create art using animals in our work. The idea of animals and art together did not really interest me, but that all changed thanks to the Monica Lewinski/Bill Clinton scandal. From this came the cat series and I found animals can actually be very interesting in art and continue to be a theme in my art. After finishing school, I began seeking God and this was reflected in my paintings. On June 15, 2000, my only child and beautiful 16 year old son passed away. Obviously, my art since then has provided a way for me to express my grief and the hope I have in my heart that I will see my son again. I realize how art can be evolving, and for me, an extension of myself.