Where It All Began: Finding My Voice Through Art and Animals

I was always the kid with a pencil in hand, scribbling in the margins of my notebooks. It felt natural, instinctive. But as life unfolded, art quietly moved to the background. Marriage and motherhood came first. I raised five daughters here in the beautiful Hudson Valley. During those years my easel sat untouched, while my creative energy was poured into family life.

Years later, when my youngest grew older, I found myself reaching for a paintbrush again. That's when something shifted. Living among animals (dogs, cats, horses) and surrounded by the landscapes I’ve known for years, I started to see the world differently. .

A Deeper Connection 🐾

Animals have an incredible way of staying fully present. Their energy intertwines with ours in ways that often go unnoticed in our busy lives. I realized my art could do more than capture a pretty scene. It could be a bridge, reconnecting us to the natural world and to each other. This realization sparked something new in my work.

My art became more than just a visual. It became a bridge. I started focusing less on how things looked and more on how they felt. Each portrait became a study in personality and relationship. I learned about each animal’s story — who they loved most, what made them special. My landscapes also began to shift, becoming spaces of emotion and memory.

Art as Service 🎨

Giving back became part of the process too. I began donating a portion of every sale to animal charities tied to the stories of my subjects. A painting of a veteran's dog raised funds for K9s for Warriors. A portrait of a therapy animal supported hospital programs. These stories add meaning to every piece.

Painting Pathways 🌄

At the core of it I would love to help people see beyond the surface. When you look at my painting of Ella, the dog who gets her head stuck in Cheez-it bags, I want you to smile and feel her joy. When you see my Hudson Valley landscapes, I hope they pull you into a moment of peace, grounding you in the beauty of the present.

I'm not just painting animals or landscapes. It’s about connection, presence, and finding our way back to what matters most.

Want to see more? Browse my gallery or reach out to commission a custom portrait.