Hi everyone! Welcome to my website! I was born in Asheville, N.C. but spent most of my life living outside of Charlotte, N.C. on Lake Tillary. Like most little girls, I believe I was born loving horses! Unfortunately I was unable to own one growing up so to compensate I collected Breyers. (and anything else horse shaped!) Because of the remote area we lived in, there were not a lot of children for me to play with so I spent most of my time in the woods with my dog or drawing animals. At an early age, I started taking oil painting lessons. I continued this through junior high and did some competing in small shows and even sold a few paintings. At sixteen, I was accepted into the N.C. School of the Arts. After one semester, I had a representative coming from Pratt in New York to look at my work. Unfortunately, having lived a sheltered life up until then, this was all too much for me at sixteen. I became "burnt out" on art and decided to give it a rest for awhile. (I didn't realize it would be such a long time!!) Years went by filled with school, work and marriage. My mom and I purchased a small business and began working it together. As with most businesses, we had to put in some long hours. That, coupled with an illness which kept me in and out of the hospital quite a bit was evidently too much for my marriage! After my divorce, I moved in with my mom and step dad for awhile. While I was there, I came across some of my old Breyers tucked away in storage. (Thanks to my mom who was thoughtful enough to pack them carefully away!) Perhaps I was looking for something to fill the "void" or maybe I was just curious, but I decided to get online. Wow! I couldn't believe what I saw! I was particularly amazed at the customs I saw. I decided I had to try it myself! Thus the obsession began! *grin* I bought some "bodies" and a cheap airbrush (the ones with a propellant can, what a pain!) and I was off! The first ones weren't so great but I kept at it. I bought better equipment, studied some of the top artists in the hobby and practiced, practiced, practiced! I also started to attend a few shows and this gave me some really good feedback on my work. Mom and I also began our yearly trek to Breyerfest where I got a chance to meet some of the artists in the artisans gallery. ( I particularly love Caroline Boydston's work!) I finally began to get a handle on the airbrush and started winning more at the shows. I also began selling some horses online. I guess that's pretty much where I'm at now. Currently I'm living in Raleigh, N.C. (where my business is) with my Australian cattledog "Cowgirl" but I'm hoping to move back towards Charlotte one of these days. My mom stays with me some and we still work the business together. I've bought a 13 acre farm (complete with a barn and workshop) and hopefully soon I'll be able to paint full time. Be sure to visit my sculptures in progress.