• My love of drawing started at a very young age. My mother told me I was the easiest child for which to care. All she had to do was give me paper and pencil, and I would sit for hours drawing. I loved creating my own comic strips. All throughout school, I would draw horses for my fellow students, and they would color them in. Being creative and getting involved in anything arty, I realized that art was a subject I really enjoyed and was quite good at. To be able to make my living drawing and painting is the most satisfying lifestyle that I can envision.

• The middle photo was taken sometime in the 60's. Notice the long hair. This was my "Cher" period. Gotta love the zebra curtains! And thin! Wish I was still that thin. Father Time sure has a warped sense of humor. One day you are thin, the next you have rolls of skin and "boobs" that touch your belly button!

• Yes, I love basset hounds. And this little lady is responsible for capturing my heart. This was my precious Jessica. Jess only lived for 8 years but what a joy she gave to my life! She made me laugh and gave unconditional love.

• The first time I traveled to Europe and Italy was May 2012. Tuscany - the region between Florence and Rome -  was the destination. We visited Florence, Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena, Montalcino, Cortona, Umbria, Perugia, Assisi, Spello, Ovieto , Rome and Vatican City.  Incredible sweeping scenery, delicious food, old-world architecture and wonderful people. A trip to never forget.

   My second trip to Italy was in May 2016. This time I traveled south to Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Isle of Capri, Pompeii and a return trip to Rome. I had never seen an ocean so blue as the ocean in Capri and Amalfi Coast. Unbelievable! Again, breathtaking scenery, delicious food and wonderful hospitality.

    If you can only visit one place in Europe, you can not go wrong with Italy! Both trips have expanded my artistic horizons.

   My next trip will be to northern Italy - Milan, Italian Riviera, Venice. Someday. Its on my bucket list!