An animal and nature lover from a young age (think saving spiders from bathtubs and offering honey to struggling bees), I always wanted a career focused on animals. I earned a degree in zoology and went on to work with a variety of species at zoos, primate centers, and veterinary hospitals. I began sketching animals, first as a way to better understand their anatomy and behavior and later because it became a favorite way to connect with them. I snapped reference photos whenever I could, took courses in scientific illustration, and joined community art groups while admiring artists like Robert Bateman, Sue Ellen Ross, and Maria Sibylla Merian.

With the arrival of my young and growing family, my career focus took a detour into education and I became an elementary school librarian. I loved teaching curious-minded students and opening doors to information, imagination and stories. On the side, my creative practices expanded and I studied picture book illustration and took classes in digital art. I began accepting art commissions and honed my skills by creating hundreds of custom pieces of people, pets, and places for individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

Fast forward to today and you will see that my art is a reflection of the diverse paths my life has taken. Still fascinated by animals, nature, and our environment, my imagery leans toward ecological themes such as adaptation, biodiversity, and interconnectedness. My love for storytelling pops up mostly in my children’s illustrations but also plays a part in creating my eco art. I work to capture a moment in an animal’s life story, often depicting their challenges and behavior related to human interaction and infrastructure. My hope in sharing these visual stories is to strengthen our connection with other living things and to evoke a sense of appreciation and wonder for our amazing natural world.