I am a freelance artist and designer.
I've always loved to draw in the most realistic style possible.   I was the kid in the back of the class drawing pictures of whatever interested me at the moment.   When I was in grade school, I was always doing portraits for my friends and their friends.  I told everyone that when I grew up I was going to be an artist. I'm still working on growing up, but I think I can finally call myself an artist. :-)

I love bright, vibrant colors, and contrast. I have a passion for beauty and detail.
I think that it is way too easy to miss the little things that abound around us. We have been surrounded by so many blessings that literally sweep by so many of us; often without our ever noticing.  I feel so blessed that I can bring some of these things into focus.  If one of my designs can bring a smile to someone's face, then I am consummately happy.

My favorite artist was Michelangelo of Rennaisance fame.
I've taken many ideas and theories from his work; one of the main ones was not to get too caught up in one area or technique.  I've branched into many different areas of interest to keep from getting bored and/or boring.  So, as you'll see from this website, I've worked in quite a few mediums that are both from the classic arts and into today's wildly interesting computerized fields.  I like both sides of the fence and I've chosen to keep a foot planted on both sides.   It seems that if I stay on just one side (the classical arts side vs. the technical arts side), that I get bored and a little bit unbalanced.   One side gives me freedom and creativity; the other side nurtures a more disciplined approach to design.  I think it's a good mix.

Here's the long version of who I am if you are terribly bored and need a little reading material....
I was born and raised in West Central Wisconsin. Yes, the Packers do rule! I don't like football too much, but I will always cheer on the Pack. When I finally did get around to going to college, I had a child to take care of, so I chose the practical route, and went into the engineering field.  In 1990, I graduated with a 3.611 GPA from Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I'd earned an Associates Degree in Mechanical Design.   I'd already been working at an internship at Trane Company as a drafter since 1989, so it was a natural step to make that my full-time job until 1992.  My son, Christopher, was born that year, and I chose to stay home with him for a couple of years.

During that period, I had time to start up the first draft of my art business.
I began attending art shows and doing portraits.   I learned watercolor painting techniques and I loved it.   I'd always thought that it was a medium that could only satisfy an artist with a looser style of expression; but with some experimentation and study, I soon learned that it suited me nicely. 

After getting a call from an old friend in the engineering field, I started drafting and designing again.
That job started in 1994 for a construction equipment manufacturing company in Winona, Minnesota.   I worked there until 1998, and moved on when a more stable position opened up in Lake City, Minnesota. That new position was at Heat-N-Glo.  They manufacture fireplaces.   I became involved in the design of some of those units and the maintenance of blue prints used by the production line.   I love computers, so I eventually also became the back-up NC programmer for their laser and turret punch machines.   I worked with the IT department to install and maintain some blue print reading software on about 80 computers. 

At the beginning of 2000, I was into doing portraits for people again when I wasn't working at "The Glo" or taking care of my family.
I taught myself web design and created this web site.   I taught myself how to run Paint Shop software and used it to format scans of my prints for this website.   I taught myself how to work with colored pencils and pastels.   I read scads of books.   I taught myself how to frame in wood and in metal and to do decorative mat cutting. I started attending art festivals and shows again.  It was exciting and exhausting.

In September of 2002, I left Heat-N-Glo (then Hearth Technologies) and began working part-time as a graphic artist at a local print shop called Postnet.
There I learned to run Quark and PhotoShop software.   But, I had the bug to go out on my own, so I left and found a rental space in the downtown section of Lake City that I could use for a little store front.   Setting up the shop was fun and scary.   It was definitely new ground for me.  I had to learn how to run QuickBooks and get all of my inventory etc set up.   I bought a bunch of art supplies to sell and invested in framing equipment and supplies.   I also worked part time for Heat-N-Glo again during the years. I also did some part time work designing fireplace mantles for a local woodworking shop.

My family and business moved to Cannon Falls, Minnesota during of 2004.
It was an amazingly busy time for us.   There was a nice size building in the back of our property that my husband and I converted into my frame shop.   My office/studio was set up in my home, and my business slowly recuperated from the chaos of relocating.   I am working with some new clients on several projects.   I've created a couple of new web sites and have done some mural work.  I've even launched some of my own designs into the world of metal fabrication.   I've started working with a local businessman in Cannon Falls to create vinyl signs and embroidered products. I'm also starting to do some work in the photography field. I'm looking forward to doing many more such projects and meeting lots of interesting people.

I moved again; this time to the down town area of Cannon Falls in October of 2006.
There were some personal events that led up to the move, but everyone is adjusting, and my business is finally back up and running again.   Hopefully this will be the last move for awhile.   I've moved with some of my kids to a cute little two story house.  My office is all set up, and the frame shop is slowly getting there.   I had to get a room built into the basement for my son before I could create the shop.  That job is complete now, so the shop will follow shortly.   I have discovered that I can improvise and use other sectors of my home to build frames.

There are so many other people that have helped me in so many ways, such as the many people who have placed their faith in me and let me create drawings and paintings for them.   And then there are the literally hundreds of people who have encouraged me to keep on drawing and who have shared their own dreams and ideas with me.   I can't possibly list them all; but you know who you are and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to each and every one of you.

Click here to enter the main gallery.
Be sure to check out this large collection of portraits done in watercolor, pastel, graphite, and colored pencil. You can also see and order caricatures, murals, and original paintings and drawings.