I have always loved art and artists – local to international, present and past. I have sought out art museums, local galleries and communities of artists wherever I have travelled and lived. Within the past 12+ years, I had the good fortune to volunteer for several local arts foundations, and I also served as Executive Director of one of those arts foundations. In these positions, I have been able to seek out great art instructors, curate exhibits and watch artists at work. With the satisfaction I have received in buying wonderful art, and in facilitating exhibits and art instruction for others, it was an easy leap for me to pick up a paintbrush and my palette knives.I have taken drawing and painting classes and workshops for well more than a decade now, but upon my retirement several years ago, I immersed myself in the creative process through travel journaling and painting in oils, both in the studio and en plein air. I gravitate toward landscapes and architecture in my work, and when painting from my photographs or en plein air, I generally seek an architectural element to anchor my work. When I can combine my love of travel with an artistic endeavor, I have reached the ultimate expression of creativity. It is safe to say that painting en plein air in Tuscany during the summers of 2015 and 2016, as well as painting and writing in Ireland, have been highlights of my creative life. I recently returned from France where I took a plein air workshop in Burgundy...truly magic moments to remember and inspiration for years to come.To those who ask me why I started painting, my answer has always been that the process of putting paint on panel was - and still is - therapeutic for me. Hours go by so quickly when an artist tool is in my hand. I am always seeking creative experiences and travel opportunities. I currently live in historic Leesburg, Virginia, within close proximity to an international airport. I look forward to continuing to paint, to learn, to travel, to write, and to share my artistic vision. I call it “Reaching for the Light.”