About the artist:

I grew up in Oregon with lots of animals, moved to California and got married in 1971. I soon found myself involved in a grooming shop and liked working with dogs so much I bought the place.

People would ask me if I knew anyone who would do paintings of their pets. I finally decided to take some art lessons in 1999. I studied at Monticino Fine Arts in Arcadia. It wasn't long before I was doing pencil drawings for some of my clients.

Long time clients of mine, Frank and Ilona Van Dongen, were the owners of Harlequin Gallery in Sierra Madre. They opened their Art School and I decided to take oil classes with Judi Marsh. Lessons were custom designed to individual needs and I discovered that I learn quickly with the one-on-one method of teaching used by all the Harlequin teachers. I have excelled beyond what I ever expected. I am now a member of the San Gabriel Fine Arts Association in San Gabriel California.

I do pet portraits because I love pets and seeing their personalities come to life on a canvas is so exciting! I do them well I think, because before I ever thought of painting them I got to know them so well in my grooming business. I understand the pet owners point of view that their pet is a unique individual and a special, irreplaceable part of their lives.