A great deal of the credit for my artistic abilities to thrive go to my parents and grandparents. They told me that my doodles were amazing and I believed it. When I was later told differently it didn't matter because of the support I was brought up with. Pablo Picasso is credited with saying " EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST! The problem is how to remain an artist once he (or she) grows up."

My formal education was in commercial art. I worked as a graphic artist for five years before staying at home to raise our four daughters. I consider these beautiful young women the most important creative endeavor I have been privileged to experience.

As our daughters grew up I kept busy doing various types of freelance artwork. Portraits have always been my strength and fun to do. I decided to do street fairs and mall shows to gain experience in doing on-the-spot portraiture of people of all cultures and ages. One of the most important pieces of wisdom I learned from this work and working amongst a diverse collection of artists was that I did not have to be an expert at painting ALL SUBJECTS (such as seascapes, wildlife, etc.) to be valid as an artist. We need to rejoice in the abilities and strengths of others as well as our own. Also, I feel that we who are blessed to share our talents have a responsibility to create images that will uplift ...one should feel a little bit better after viewing a piece of art. We all can do our small part to bring a bit of peace to the world.

I teach workshops and give demos on pastel, acrylic and pen & ink. I love to teach and help others to realize they can enrich their own lives by finding their artistic passion, working through the challenges of learning and experiencing the joy of accomplishment.

A few years ago we relocated from the Seattle, Washington area to a higher altitude - just below the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. I have seen a transition of my palette. The light here in Utah is much more sunny, brighter with southwestern colors compared to the soft mists and lush greens of the Puget Sound area.

I have two online stores: My Etsy store ~ P Christensen Gallery: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PChristensenGallery

Weeds And Wildflowers Design, together with two of my daughters, Gina Marie Huff and Heidi Currie. We design digital scrap booking kits. Our web site is www.weedsandwildflowersdesign.com

So my art jumps between the two worlds of digital and 'real' which makes me a little crazy but at the same time puts fresh energy into both venues...