In my own art, watercolor and acrylic paintings feature people and/or animals in playful situations. In the children’s books I write and illustrate, these situations come together as stories in which endearing characters experience the wonder of the world as children do. As a teacher and a mom of three, I understand how children learn through active problem-solving, how they benefit from their engagement with the natural world and one another, and that love must be placed at the center of every story and image, whether fictional or real. These elements figure prominently in my children’s books. My artwork for other outlets conveys the joys and struggles of modern life through a quirky lens, usually with a dose of humor to help take an edge off the struggles.

Through my career as an art educator, I have taught and enjoyed traveling in many locations around the world including England, Germany, Korea, Virginia and Hawaii, then back to where I started teaching in Washington State. I love the challenge of meeting each student where they are and helping them to grow in their understanding of art, development of their art skills and techniques, and their knowledge of themselves and the world.

When not teaching, writing and art making, I enjoy spending time in nature with my family, reading, traveling, practicing yoga, snuggling with my pet cat Caramel and chasing after my grand doggie Dasher.