Beaver Island Studio & Gallery

My art journey started at a very young age, probably with the discovery of my first copper colored crayon.  Formal training started in high school when I attended a special art program for commercial art all day for my last two years of high school.  It was a fortunate and valuable start.  After my second year in college I added a second major and attended Nursing school and became a Registered Nurse.  Approximately 20 years ago I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and could not continue nursing.  I had to make a decision to, once again, re-create my life and was able to return to my art.    I have been teaching art for the last 18 years; which feels like the thing I was always meant to do.  

I have been the director/manager of the Museum Week Art Show on Beaver Island for 35+ years.  It is a great venue and has included projects like 'Everyone's an Artist' for the past 3 years.  This is a wonderful event that allows for everyone to participate in the arts and has the added benefit as a fundraiser for the Museum/Historical Society.

Additionally, I  been honored to be the President/Chair for the Diamond Valley Arts Council in Southern California for 15+ years. 

My partner and I own Beaver Island Studio and Gallery.  The Gallery has stellar art from 20+ island artists.  It is truly a blessing to be able to provide this venue on Beaver Island.  It is probably my proudest achievement.

My artist statement is simple.   I enjoy  painting and creating a 'moment' on canvas that touches another person's life.   As most artists, I remain a lifelong student of my trade.   Creating, learning and sharing are the essential parts of the process

Beaver Island, also know as America's Emerald Isle, is located in Northern Lake Michigan.  Please follow these links for more information:

www.beaverislandtour.com

 http://www.beaverisland.net/

http://www.beaverisland.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaver-Island-Studio/

Nut and Bolts

My partner and I are full time island residents.    I am the past President for the Diamond Valley Arts Council in San Jacinto/Hemet, California (TheDvac.org) and a member of the Executive Committee. . I

• Artist/Owner of Beaver Island Gallery on Beaver Island in Michigan
  
• Museum Week Art Show Director X  35+ years.
• Past President of the Diamond Valley Arts Council   President for 15+ years 
• DVAC FOA art director and jurist
• DVAC gallery director and curator 
• 2022 is the  19th year of teaching drawing classes and painting in Southern California and Beaver Island
  
• Founded/established the ART Group in Southern California
• Beaver Island Cultural Assoc. Board member.
  

Rewrite of bio:

I was given a very strong opportunity in art at a very young age.  My last two years of High School were spent in a commercial art program.  At that time, in the early 70’s, I was offered the opportunity to go right into an apprenticeship for commercial art, after graduation.  The plan, back then, would be to spend, what promised to be 10 years, as an apprentice.   The normal course would be to spend 10 years sweeping floors at a company until I could catch a break. This felt iffy and dismal to me.   I instead opted to further my experience by going to a traditional arts program at a college.  One child and two years into my art major, I panicked and realized I needed a better plan.  I took the courses I needed to be accepted into the nursing program.   I spent as many months of each year, as possible, on Beaver Island.  I worked my way through college by working at the Shamrock and starting a medical educational company called Start-a-Heart.   We taught first aid and CPR to medical personnel, teachers and bystanders.  I continued to take every college art class and workshop.  I did not pass up any opportunity to continue my art.  But, in my real and practical  world,  I worked in the ER, psych. Hosp and in home health nursing.  It was a very fulfilling and interesting career. Until, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis.  At that point, I had to reinvent myself, once again.  My husband told me that I was always supposed to be an artist and that this was my time.  I started painting full-time again.  We opened an art gallery on Beaver Island in the old McDonough’s store.  Fortunately, it grew and we were able to buy a second gallery in what used to be the Montaage.  Both galleries remained open until I realized that I needed to focus on the larger gallery.  We have now had galleries on the island for approximately 12 years.  It feels like it required a cosmic 2x4 to the forehead to get me here, but, here I am. Full circle.  And, life is good.