How long have you been creating?

I have drawing and painting since I could walk and talk (My first drawing at 18 months of age was of a person riding a horse. It looked like a fly sitting on a spider. I was into really bulgy eyes and LOTS of legs.) Professionally I have been selling my artwork for 7 or 8 years now.

What is your media of choice?

I love to paint in acrylics. The faster the paint dries, the better. I often work with a heater blowing on the wet paint as I go. I have also been doing a lot of digital images the last few years. Because I create art logos for businesses, most of the time it makes more sense to create a digital image where I can skip the scanning and color matching. If the color is off, or an arm or leg needs to be moved, it is just a couple clicks of the mouse. However, I still prefer losing myself in a painting while in the serenity of my studio listening to music, rather than working in a home office with the children's cartoons as background noise and a husband asking what's for dinner.

What are your motivations for creating?

Coffee. That and the overwhelming amount of images and concepts that sit in my head wanting to escape onto canvas. I love broody lighting and bright colors, which I am aware is a bit of a paradox. I love to live vicariously through the divas that I create and live an extraordinarily glamorous lifestyle in my own little head. It also helps that I am a magazine junky and am hopelessly devoted to pop culture and fashion. Not necessarily what to wear (I prefer classic Hollywood glam) but rather the poses, jewelry, shoes, and attitude. I'm a big fan of JANE magazine's snarky demeanor, book and music reviews, and "must have" items for the average big-city girl. Living out here in the country on a small island, I need my urban fix. I think my women that I paint reflect all that is metropolitan with a cowgirl twist.

What other artists or movements inform your work?

I admire and appreciate so many types of art, but my preference is definitely for figurative artists that aren't afraid of color. I enjoy Gustav Klimt, Amedeo Modgliani, Marc Chagal, and Franz Marc for their intensity, moody expressions, and the way they distort and emphasize dreamy subject matter. I love Erte for the outrageous costume design and fashion illustrations. Tamara de Lempicka embodies all that is enchanting and sexy. I can't seem to get enough of Gil Elvgren's pin up girls and flirtatious Lolita's. And then of course, Roy Lichtenstein for his drama and humor.

What do you find visually stimulating right now?

Sleep. Being a chronic insomniac, I have been simply obsessed in creating a series of elegant women in black evening gowns in a somnolent state of mind. I have been adding a splash of paint over the entire painting to award an ethereal and celestial essence. In my version of a perfect world women have perfect hair, 18" waists, wear haute couture, and sleep through night uninterrupted.

Read anything good lately?

Wow. It's been awhile since I've read anything really good. But because I fly to Las Vegas a few times a year to visit my parents, there is this wonderful gallery/art shop in the Seattle airport where I treat myself to one of Brian Andreas' books from his Story People series. His art and publications are so very quirky and entertaining.

Tell us about some of your artistic goals for 2007.

This is the year that I intend to hit the art fairs in my little 10' x 10' white tent. My studio is not only filling up with original paintings, but prints, tote bags, mouse pads, purses, checkbook covers, bookmarks, and even jewelry (and a 10' x 10' white tent). I have been creating like a madwoman! Not to mention I'd rather take the full commission of sales ALL for myself without having to share with a gallery. (No offense galleries that are currently showing my work! Love you! You're the best!)

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work?

My favorite color is red, I like sparkly things, clothes that don't bunch up, and popcorn with Frank's Red Hot sauce. I dislike waking up early, bugs, and people who chew with their mouth open. And most importantly, nothing makes me happier than a sale from my website and that I can be really bad at answering emails in a timely fashion. But be assured that orders ship within 3 business days! Thanks bunches :)