My roots lie in a Colorado extended family of artists of one sort or another: watercolors; oils, pastels, metalworking, woodworking, and glass art. Growing up amidst a variety of artistic ability propelled my interest in watercolor painting in the mid-1990s. I was inspired by the work of talented painter and art teacher, Mariya Zvonkovich (https://bluecanyonart.com/)—a strong and imaginative artist with striking color and compositional sense. Her instruction was fundamental to my development as an artist. I look to capture the light, shadows, colors, and movement within my surroundings. One of my father’s long-held favorite expressions was: “Look and see, don’t just look.” The more I painted I did, indeed, perceive and see things differently. Color and value leapt out - and still do. The very process of learning to paint enabled brain and body to see more clearly. I have recently and happily added painting with acrylics to my repertoire.