At an early age I came to the realization that art was my gift.  My first mentor happened to be my next door neighbor.  I am quite sure I was an annoyance to him.  He and his wife moved in when I was 4 years old.  They were an older couple.  Mrs. Martin had been a victim of polio in her youth.  She and I enjoyed playing games together.  It was like having a grandma living next door for me.  I soon became very curious about the artwork that Mr. Martin worked on in the garage and in the back bedroom.  Although I was told not to enter those areas of the house I would find excuses to leave Mrs. Martin’s company and take a quick look at his current painting projects.  Mr. Martin was a private person and really did not think his artwork was of great value.  I remember he was impressed by Monet’s work.  He painted copies of some of Monet’s work.  I wanted him to teach me how to draw and paint.  I only remember one time that he actually drew something for me.  I watched intently as he drew a horse model that I had brought over.  He said nothing about how to draw the horse as he rendered the drawing.  I had to learn through observation, which is exactly what it takes to excell in drawing……being able to observe your subject with intensity.  

My grade school art teacher Mr. Taylor, was another early influence.  During his class one day I drew a horse.  A fellow student took my drawing up to Mr. Taylor to show him.  He called me to his desk and accused me of tracing it.  I was hurt, but had to prove to him that I did not trace that horse!  That was third grade.  By fifth grade Mr. Taylor offered to teach me how to oil paint during school lunch.  I would go through the lunch line with my friends and then to the art room to hurriedly eat by myself and then spend the rest of lunch period painting.  The resulting painting of mustangs running in the wild hung in the entrance hallway at Homecroft Elementary for the next 13 years, until Mr. Taylor retired and took it with him. 

My high school mentor was Mr. Gale.  During high school my illustrations were used by the school paper and my artwork was included in the yearbook. 

Also during high school I boarded my horse at a local barn.  The owners, of the property and their daughter traded drawings I did of their horses for a portion of my board payment.  They were very supportive of my art.

Now, as a teacher, I have often wondered what was most responsible for my ability and confidence.  Clearly I had an interest from an early age, but I think it was the combined nuturing attitude of the people previously mentioned. 

It gave me confidence in myself and my abilities. 

As a result, I put a huge emphasis on building the confidence of my students. 

It was about a year after high school that I began working in a local frame shop where children’s art classes were also offered.  As fate would have it…..one day I was asked to fill in for that teacher.  I had no experience,  I very reluctantly accepted…….the rest shall we say is history………

It is truly a blessing to have a job doing something you absolutely love.