Well, what can I say .. I'm a homegrown Vermont girl who loves art. I grew up in West Rutland, Vermont with, my parents and my sister, Sue (11 years older than I) and my brother David (9 years older). Obviously it wasn't until later in life that I was able to pal around with them, so - I turned to art as a young girl. Since I can remember - I have found myself getting lost in imagination and creating . Remember the Lite Brite days? I used to have every color peg there ever was, by the bag full and instead of using the pre-made templates that came with it, I used to make my own pictures. My mom used to work for a company that made all these different color plastic sandwich containers, for food vendors, and she used to bring home all of the "misfit" ones that they couldn't sell. I used to spend hours building stuff with them. Anything with color that I could create with, has always been a wild attraction to me. I remember my friend Sarah, who lived in the Burlington area, would always say when she'd get a letter in the mail from me .. must be you got new pens or new paper. My dad brought this old car home - I'm still not sure why, but it sat out in our back yard (WAY WAY out back - where no one could see it, I think those were direct instructions from my mother) and I would go out there and draw and paint on it all the time. I know that sounds sort of like a redneck story - but really - we were not. When I create, I create; in other words - when I am into a project rather it be painting, writing, photography - whatever the day brings - I cannot see, hear, smell or taste anything other than what I am creating. It's often tough to just pick one thing and do it - I want to do it all. I live in Fair Haven, Vermont with my very understanding husband; he never knows what I'm going to be "building" when he comes home from work each day and let me tell you, when I am making something - you know it. Scissors, paints, paint brushes, paper, paper punchers, thread, material, rulers (ok, I'm not a big fan of measuring but am sometimes FORCED to measure, it's a last resort though) - every tool I have - is out. We also have two beautiful children (aka German Shepherds), Aly and Boka - who we just adore. I don't think my parents ever expected their grandchildren from  me would have so much hair and such big ears =).

An Interview .. .. (with myself)

Yes, I know this sounds weird, but since CBS nor the local radio station is knocking on my door do to an interview with me, I decided to interview myself. This is a way to help you get to know me better, one of my top business priorities.

Question: What has been the toughest thing you've ever done?

Answer: Well, the toughest thing I would have to say is running out of time in a day to finish something. The toughest thing I've painted? It is usually the simplest of things. For example, I am currently painting the Salt Lake City Temple, and of all the detail involved in the church itself, I am having the hardest time getting the sky right. To make the sky a deep enough blue to make the church pop, but at the same time, not losing the effect of the sky.

Question: What is your goal with your paintings?

Answer: I have a few - first, is to get better every day. Next is to be sure that it never becomes unenjoyable. I also would like to come to a point where when someone sees one of my paintings some place, they know, without even looking at the tag, that it is one of my pieces.

Question: Working a "real job", owning two German Shepherds, having a husband, owning a home, etc - how do you find time to paint?

Answer: Well, actually having a husband, is probably one of the biggest enablers I have. He picks up the slack of getting dinner, taking care of the dogs, helping with the house, etc - as well as being very encouraging for me to paint. Painting, for me, is the one thing that takes me to a place where everything around me is forgotten. Sometimes to a fault. I could start painting at 6 a.m. and suddenly realize it is now 2:00 p.m. and I"m still in my jammies.

Question: What is your favorite subject to paint?

Answer: Structures. Barns, houses, any kind of building and of course foliage

Question: What is your least favorite subject to paint?

Answer: Well, I'm excited when anyone gives me something to paint, however I would have to say animals, and that's only because I am still learning how to paint them and make them look realistic.People I have painted animals for have been happy with them, but of course I'm my own worst critic. I am getting better and eventually, pets may end up being my favorite subject.

Question: How do you advertise your work?

Answer: I have painted some for businesses and put plants in them, in exchange for them displaying them with my brochures. I have been to a couple of craft shows (where I hold a drawing for a custom painted sap bucket of choice to the winner) and I have a website (well duh, you're on it =), as well as two display areas at the Fair Haven, Vermont Welcome Center (right smack dab inside the entrance door). I've also donated to Silent Auctions (Carving Studio, Jimmy Fund, Angel Boy Art, Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Recreational Club, United Way, Rutland County Humane Society, the Fair Haven Rotary Club and more) and so those are out there in someone's home now too. Mostly, it has been word of mouth. Someone has one in their house, they have company, company gets my info and they contact me. So far - this is where my business has come from.

Question: Do you worry that you will begin to get so many orders, that you won't be able to keep up?

Answer: Absolutely not. That is a dream, not a worry.  I think I could always keep up. Most people are not in a hurry (and if they are, then theirs is the priority).

Question: How long does it take to paint a sap bucket?

Answer: It varies. I've done some in 3 hours and then some have taken me more than 20 hours.

Question: Do you have any of your paintings in stores?

Answer: No. There is a certain level of uniqueness and personalism to doing the business myself. I enjoy getting to meet the people who are interested in my product. I love asking questions about what it is they like most and especially when someone orders custom - it is nice to have a face to face and find out things about them, so that I can make the painting as personal to them as possible (like their favorite flowers, favorite colors, favorite season, if they have pets, I will incorporate them as well, etc). This has been one of my favorite parts of selling my work - the people.

Question: Have you ever thought about opening your own shop?

Answer: Absolutely. I dream about it but I also know - that is not the best idea. I've even drawn up plans to add on to our house, just to have my own studio (I make my husband nervous at times ha ha) - there's no harm in being a dreamer. I never want to have to depend on selling a certain amount of my work, in order to make my mortgage payment. I want to keep this as a passion, a fun thing for me, without the pressure of having to sell. The way it is now is - I get to do something I love and hey, if I make a few extra bucks too? Then it's been a great day.

Question: Where do you see yourself in5 years with your business?

Answer: I see myself as the Warren Kimball / Peter Huntoon (two of my favorite Vermont Artists) of Fair Haven. A master at custom painting ANYTHING on a sap bucket or slate or maybe by then even old milk cans and saws.

Question: Have you ever felt discouraged?

Answer: I think that is just human nature and part of the curve. I have, but not for long - because I really do this as a form of therapy and enjoyment for myself. A place where I can unleash my imagination and artistic needs. I think when I get discouraged the most is when I try to paint something and it doesn't come out the way I had it pictured in my mind - and those are usually the ones that end up being the 20+ hour jobs - because I can't stop until it matches the picture I have in my mind. I also wish there were a few more hours in the day .. I'd like to put that order in - any idea who I could submit that request to?