I was born in Athens, Alabama, where I lived until moving to College Station, Texas in August, 2007. For the last eleven years, I worked as a jeweler at Cluxton’s Jewelry, a family owned business, where I did basic jewelry repair, pearl stringing, and engraving.

Discovering my ability to paint was purely by accident. Although I always loved to waste time when I was a teenager by sketching during school when I should have been paying attention, I had never once considered whether or not I could paint. I actually was looking through a local magazine one day, when I came across a picture of a painting by a local artist and totally fell in love with it. Her studio was just down the street from the jewelry store where I worked, so I decided to visit it and check out the price of this painting. I saw right away that I could never have afforded it. That’s when I wondered “just how hard could it possibly be to paint one just like this for myself?” So…..I bought an inexpensive easel, an oil paint kit, and a canvas. I was nervous to start, so the materials just sat there for a few months. Then after a lot of encouragement from another artist I met at a dance and the former president of the Arts Counsel in Athens, with whom I had become close friends, I finally picked up my brushes and began. I was amazed at how easily everything came together. I had finally discovered who I was and what I was meant to do, and no matter what else in life I do…….whatever “job” I have….…the job will always be “what I do”…..

Art is who I am.