Websites

http://www.freewebs.com/busybrushart

I can't remember a time in my life when I haven't painted. As a child I preferred the paint by number kits and little watercolor cakes instead of dolls. When I was expecting our oldest son in 1972 a friend thought I should be making a quilt for the crib and introduced me to fabric painting using paint in a tube that worked like a ball point pen. That little crib quilt was the beginning of my artistic career. Throughout the years I have been involved in many creative endeavors all related to painting in some way and my love of painting and teaching has never waned.

In the early years it was difficult to find painting books and the closest place to take lessons was 60 miles away so I plodded along teaching myself by trial and error. In the mid eighties I obtained my teachers certificate with two product companies and started teaching ceramics which finally lead me to Maureen McNaughton and my first decorative painting class. I have been very fortunate over the years to be able to earn an income doing what I love the most. Painting and teaching. My husband and my sons have always been there to support me whether it be physical labor getting ready for shows, cooking , laundry or their humorous antics.  Growing up on a farm in rural Southwestern Ontario Canada I like to paint country scenes, flowers and landscapes. We now live in Prince Edward County Ontario, my husbands birthplace a beautiful little island in Lake Ontario that is an artists dream for inspiration. I am one of the founding members of Loyalist Decorative Painters Guild and have held several positions on the executive. For the last twelve years I have owned and operated a gift store which I recently closed in order to pursue my art on a full time basis.

I have had the pleasure of teaching at our Canadian Conventions and it was at the Kaswood Convention in Toronto that I first met David Jansen. My friend Jane and I stopped to admire a beautiful bedroom set he had displayed in his booth. David freely answered questions and explained painting techniques all the while he was painting a sign to be displayed in his booth the next day. Which by the way would probably have taken me a week. We both signed up for his class at Maureen's because we had lots more questions for him. Little did I know that conversation would take me on an exciting artistic journey a year later.

I have taken seminars with many wonderful teachers in our industry but I have personally advanced artistically the most since participating in and teaching The Traditions Educational Program that David and the Heritage Artists have created.  The Traditions Artist seminar set me on a pathway that has grown into many exciting roads to explore while taking the Traditions journey and I look forward to the future.