Other than a few early years during which I wanted to be a nun or a truck driver, I've always wanted to be an artist. I've had family support and fine teachers, and I was an art major in high school and college.

A graduate of Bradley University, I also studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Colorado, the Instituto de Allende in Mexico, and Diablo Valley College. In addition, I studied with watercolorist Jade Fon. Watercolor workshops with other noted artists have further enriched my knowledge of the medium.