My passion for photography began on my 12th birthday when my parents bought me a Brownie camera.  From that moment on I took tons of pictures – images of the aunts and uncles I loved so much, sabotage pictures of my brother, even strange stuff like snapshots of my dad’s false teeth floating in water.  Nothing escaped my viewfinder!

I didn’t begin my adult life as a photographer.  In fact, it was a good 30 years before I was able to pursue this as a profession.  I had to do what all Americans do – get a job and pay the bills.  No time to be a starving artist.  I had a husband, two kids and a house to pay for.  I was living the American dream!

In 2000 my employer eliminated my position.  I had been downsized.  This was a shock because I had planned to retire from this company.  And while I was surprised, I can’t really say I was disappointed.  After all, I had spent all these years doing what it took to pay the bills.  But now my kids were grown and I felt it was time to do something for myself.

I had some computer skills and was a great secretary, but what I really wanted was to become a commercial artist and photographer.   So with my husband’s blessing I enrolled in community college.  I was the definition of a non-traditional student.  A grandma with a backpack! 

After three hard years of classes, labs, projects and junk food from the student union, I emerged with an associate’s degree in commercial art and a new outlook on life.  Over the years I had forgotten how much I loved photography, and graphic design was an added bonus.  You can truly do anything with a computer and the right software. 

Today I am a photographer, artist and writer.  Sometimes I feel guilty getting paid to do what I love, but most days I am just thankful.  If my job hadn’t been eliminated I never would have gone through this door and become who I am today.  

I hope you enjoy my site and will visit often.