In the winter of 2000 Kay Thomas was offering a class in Japanese Ink Painting at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. An amazing artist and gifted teacher, under her tutelage I found the outlet for my creative soul. Zen Buddhist used Sumi-é as a form of meditation; grinding their ink, gathering their thoughts and creativity, and it is my way of balancing my life.

Traditional Sumi-é is black ink on white rice paper. I practice my ink skills regularly, and have found extra expression with the addition of watercolors and metalics to my pictures, and in the use of enamels on ceramics and glass. I am always open to new ideas and suggestions and hope to continue expanding ways in which I can bring this beautiful art to the public.

I started making cards from scraps of spoiled paintings. I just hated to waste that one flower, or particularly fine leaf, that was good in a piece that had gone sour. The amazing reaction from family and friends to whom the cards were sent, encouraged me to create small pieces especially for more cards.

As many of you will know, one thing lead to another, and now I make all kinds of cards for all kinds of occassions. My love of fine papers and beautiful beads has found an expression and I truely hope that people find as much joy from the giving and receiving of my cards as I do in the making of them.

Living in Tennessee has kindled the embers of my creativity. There is such a wealth of support and appreciation here for the arts and artists. I am a member of the Arts & Culture Alliance, TACA, and TFTA.