Artist Statement

My Love of Art and Reading

Some of my earliest childhood memories include those of books and art. I would often be found reading a favorite book or coloring with my crayons. Sometimes, to the dismay of my parents, I would be doing both at the same time. I frequently used those crayons to “enhance” the already beautiful illustrations in the children’s books my parents bought me.

My love of art has continued into my adult years. I taught art to junior high school students for three years when I lived in Lindsay, California. Later, when I moved to Tucson, Arizona, I used the allure of “doing an art project” to help motivate my sometimes-reluctant special education students by encouraging them to illustrate their completed writing assignments.

Not long after I retired from teaching in the public school system, I again started teaching art, this time not only to children, but adults as well. Like my love of art, my love of books has never waned. I am presently combining these two loves by writing and illustrating children’s books.