If someone asked me what I love best, other than my family, I would say animals, painting and good food. Animals are symbolic, which can be cultural or personal, but I also believe that when we contemplate an animal we become connected to something deep within, but also beyond ourselves. We become connected to the wild, where the animal lives, but also to another
type of consciousness. There is a wildness, but also a stillness and a sense of awe and wonder when we are in the presence of an animal. I strive to capture this in my painting. In this time of disconnection and technology, I feel this is important, as a deep contemplation and respect for animals helps us become more human.
I was born in Montreal, Canada in 1976, where I grew up. In Montreal, I studied interior design at Dawson College. Although I enjoyed big city life, I left at 23 and moved to Victoria, British Columbia where I received a BA in psychology. While on Vancouver Island, I embraced a lifestyle exploring the wilderness as often as I could. Whether this meant short hikes in nearby woods, or camping trips in remote areas. I was always hopeful to see a wild animal. Even when I traveled, I made time to see animals in their natural habitat. I have seen wild elephants in South Africa and belugas in the James Bay. My love of the wilderness eventually brought me to one of British Columbia’s remote Discovery Islands, where wolves could be found frequenting the back yard. Now in my 40’s, I live in rural Nova Scotia with my family. I am busy building a homestead and a painting career.
Painting is something I had a calling for since I can remember. Being in my 40's, I was concerned I was too to old to start, but my Grandmother In-Law started a successful painting career at 70. She did not stop until she was 103! If she
could do it, so could I (maybe not till 103). Although I chose another path, I took several art classes in my early 20s while studying interior design, I took courses on colour theory, art history, visual language, and also a basic art class introducing different media. After a lengthy career detour, I returned to art and learned acrylic and oil painting.