My journey as an artist began at the age of nine, when my parents gave me a sketchpad and pencil set along with the inspiration to watch John Gnagy’s Saturday drawing lessons on our little 10-inch television. From the first episode, I was hooked. Week after week, I sat captivated, learning how to draw and paint — and falling completely in love with the creative process.

After my mother passed, I moved to Brooklyn, New York to live with my grandparents. I attended Midwood High School, where I was fortunate to study art intensively for four years. During that time, I was also gifted the opportunity to take Saturday art classes at the renowned Pratt Institute. While I had the passion and talent, my academics didn’t quite match my artistic drive — so after high school, I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.). There, I built the foundation of my career, studying drawing, design, composition, color theory, life drawing, human anatomy, art history, and even merchandising — all while learning to design clothing.

Years later, as I raised my family, I returned to my education and earned a degree with high honors from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

My creative path led to helping launch The North End Gallery, a co-op gallery in Leonardtown, Maryland, which remains active to this day. Later, my love of teaching inspired the creation of the Color & Light Society — a nonprofit formed to support and uplift emerging artists in Southern Maryland. With fellow artist Rex Miller, we wrote and received grants, partnered with Lawyers for the Arts, and secured 501(c)(3) status. Our first show was hosted at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, and today the Society has grown to over 30 active members.

I am now a member emeritus of The North End Gallery and an active member of the Color & Light Society. I remain dedicated to fostering artistic growth, supporting community art, and continuing to learn, paint, and share what I love.