My journey with the arts began at an early age with music and theater.  I have been an active member of our local community theater (Pull-Tight Players) since the age of nine, where I have enjoyed acting, directing, and building costumes, as well as many other backstage jobs.  My career as an elementary educator (Franklin Special School District) also allowed me to express myself creatively by finding new ways to present content in an engaging way.  After my retirement from education in 2022, I was searching for a new way to express myself creatively.  My friend gave me a basket of paints and brushes and I have been painting almost every day since!  Primarily working with acrylics, I have been inspired by the contemporary impressionism style of using vibrant colors, loose brushstrokes, and examining the interaction of light and shadow. My paintings are meant to make you feel happy.