• Are there any other Artists in your family?
• How did you get started? What was your evolutionary process?
• What is your attraction for Fantasy Art?
• Who it is the inspires your work if any, and who are your heroes in the painting and Art industry?
• Are there any figurines, puzzles, and other products on the market using your Art work?
• As a painter, what medium/s do you use? Do you do any other forms of Art?
• Where do you find your inspiration, and how do you plan a painting?
• Is Painting the only thing that you do?
• Do you have any words of advice for all those aspiring Artists out there?

Are there any other Artists in your family? TOP
My parents were  both Artists. Dad was a sculptor, and also did wonderful drawings, watercolors and cartoons. Mom is still an active Artist. She has done beautiful oil paintings with just a palette knife, not brushes. My brother was a professional guitarist.

How did you get started? What was your evolutionary process? TOP
As a child, I loved to draw everything, and everyone I saw. I always doodled in the margins of my copy books while in school, and I carried a sketch book with me almost everywhere.

My teenage and young adult work was was a bit more morose and dark. I was influenced at that time by the German Expressionists and Surrealist Painters.

When I discovered the French Impressionists, my art became lighter and brighter in my colors and style. I still have somewhat of an Impressionistic background style, and I often enjoy using Monet-type colors.

Nowadays my art is tending in the direction of the PreRaphaelites with their realistic rendition of Fantasy and Myths. I tend to concentrate on painting "Beautiful" themes.

But I might, some time in the future, paint more themes "On The Dark Side". You never know what the future might bring. I might be drawn to another kind of art. Luckily, I do have the facility of painting in many different ways. So I'm able to choose whichever direction I want to go.

What is your attraction for Fantasy Art? TOP
I love the Fairy Tale quality of Fantasy Art.  It uplifts me and brings out the childhood imagination that I enjoy.   At this time in my life, as I mentioned, I tend more toward the Lightful positive side of Fantasy than the interior dark side of it.  I do enjoy the macabre, it's just that I would rather not be immersed in it myself.  It would tend to depress me.

I have enjoyed the Bosch and Dali type Fantasy elements which have influenced me to this day. And Fantasy, along with other children's story book illustration has always played a big part in my Art.

Who it is the inspires your work if any, and who are your heroes in the painting and Art industry? TOP
My Soul Mate and Husband Michael, a true Renaissance Man, has been the most influential and greatest inspiration to me, in my growth as an Artist, and as a Woman.  

I have always been inspired by great Artists throughout history, and regard them as my teachers.  Some of my favorites are those of the Italian Renaissance, the Pre- Raphealites (I like John W. Waterhouse the most), the Victorian Artists, The Hudson River School of Landscape Painters, The Brandywine School of illustrators, etc.   Maxfield Parrish is my favorite illustrator, and I feel that Sir Joseph Noel Paton is one of the greatest Fairy Artists.  In my small way, I also enjoy continuing in the tradition of Beatrix Potter with her little animal people, and Cicely M. Barker with her lovely Flower Fairies. There are many Artists of today who are my heroes.  There are too many to list here, but many are a great Inspiration to me.

Are there any figurines, puzzles, and other products on the market using your Art work? TOP
Yes, there are several companies which I license my Artwork to for various products. Most of the companies I work with do not sell directly to the general public, they only sell wholesale. You can purchase many of my products, such as Figurines, Prints, Night Lights, Candles, Buttons, Magnets, Keychains, Puzzles, and Books, etc, from my E-commerce Online Store at:

As a painter, what medium/s do you use? Do you do any other forms of Art? TOP
My first mediums were, understandably - crayons, which I loved to eat as well as draw with. 

I then developed a very good technique with pencil drawing, which I feel has been an excellent foundation to the Art of Painting.  I used to enjoy using pastels and charcoals a lot, but, found them a bit messy.  I did enjoy blending them, and I have developed that blending technique in my painting methods today.   

I enjoyed watercolors, but since I make so many mistakes, I found they were difficult to correct with that medium. I am happy to use acrylic paints, with which I can simulate the effect of either watercolors, or oils. I paint on a very fine grained portrait type canvas, after applying several coats of gesso on it.

I did try my hand at sculpting, pottery, creative embroidery, etc. But my greatest talent is in painting, and prefer to spend my time doing this form of art, since I love it the most.

Where do you find your inspiration, and how do you plan a painting? TOP
I find my Inspiration everywhere. The Beauty of Nature is a great influence on my Art work, and I try to portray my love for it in my paintings. Fantasy Literature, Movies, Music and other Art forms are a wonderful stimulous to my Imagination.

I plan a painting in my head, through a technique I am developing that I call Mind Painting. I close my eyes and envision the finished creation. Then I strive to paint it. I don't do any sketches at all. Somehow, a sketch isn't good enough to portray my ideal vision that I want to paint. I prefer to Day Dream about it, and never loose that ideal in my mind.

Is Painting the only thing that you do? TOP
I've taught Art, Modern Dance and Classical Ballet, and Drama to adults and children.  I also created a Community Theater Group, presenting classical literature, including Fairy Tales and Shakespeare, on stage.  At this time I have decided not to teach anymore, and to devote myself solely to my Art Work.  I always have been fascinated with the gracefulness of dancers, and often ask them to be models for my paintings. 

Some of my most rewarding experiences in life are enjoying the simple pleasures with my loving husband Michael. We go on walks in nature, gardens, the woods, etc., and feeding the little wildlife that come to visit in our backyard. We enjoy the Fine Arts together, such as Music, Dance and Drama. Our lives would feel empty without them.

I do enjoy illustrating books very much, and am working on writing and doing art for some now. One of my favorite experiences was painting scenes from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" for the book "Tales From Shakespeare". It was a delight to paint the world of Fairies that The Bard portrayed in that play.

Do you have any words of advice for all those aspiring Artists out there? TOP
One of the main suggestions I have is to always hold on to your Dream. I am a great believer in visualizing the ideal person you want to be, and to constantly strive to become that wonderful individual. Think of what type of artist you would like to become. Hold that high ideal forever in your mind, and never let that image disappear. Always have the highest goals.

I know it is very difficult to make a living with one's art. Usually an Artist has to take on commission work in order to make ends meet. And that's very understandable. I've don't a lot of being an "Artist for Hire" also. With luck, and perseverance, you can get jobs doing Art work that you enjoy a lot. This is because usually, speaking from my own experience, you do the Art best that you enjoy doing the most. But sometimes you may be asked to create something that you don't want to do. So I would advise you to always strive to get those jobs doing the Art that will develop your talent in the direction you really want to go.

Always strive to do your best. It will come. Never give up hope. Sometimes you can do it on your own. With some Artists, working with an Art Agent, Licensing Agency, Art Studio, etc. is helpful. Explore and Research all your options. Don't jump into anything without looking into all the possibilities that could be open to you.

Since my finest teachers have been the Great Masters of the Past, I continually study and learn from them, to this day. I never feel that I know everything there is about painting. This attitude make me always strive to be better, and it is also very exciting to know there are many new vistas to explore.

You have to love Art in order to have patience to stick with it and never give up. I have had many set backs in my career, as have many other Artists. But I don't let these bad experiences get me down. I just pick myself up and continue on. That is because I love doing it so much. The world of Painting is a great joy to me, and if I gave it up, there would be a great void in my life.