I was born into a family of artists. On my father’s side of the family there have been generations of artists: illustrators, sculptors, painters and stained glass designers. My grandfather’s studio was fascinating to me -- the paper, paints, the smell of turps and linseed oil, the paintings and illustrations in progress.

Fortunately, my parents fostered my interest in art. As a teenager I attended the Vancouver School of Art Saturday classes and the Banff School of Fine Art. At the University of Victoria I trained as a teacher with a specialty in Visual Arts. I started teaching high school when I was 22.

Of course, once in the classroom I found that there were huge gaps in my knowledge. I added courses in Graphic Design, Photography, Ceramics, Drawing, Printmaking and Painting. Eventually I completed an M.Ed. at the University of Oregon in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialty in Community Education.