Becoming an art teacher after earning two degrees in fine art was not my original plan. In fact, after college I rented a studio just outside of Syracuse and focused fully on creating my own work. But as practical realities emerged-earning a living, moving, paying bills, and raising a family— chose to embrace teaching.

What began as college-level instruction eventually led me, through chance and opportunity, into more than thirty years of elementary art education.

Over time, I realized how much working with children influenced me as an artist. Children approach art with openness and curiosity. They are willing to take risks, experiment freely, and combine unexpected materials without hesitation. Their enthusiasm for building, sculpting, texture, clay, and mixed media deeply inspired me. Watching them create reminded me that art can be playful, intuitive, and fearless.

As I move toward retirement, I find myself returning more fully to my own creative practice. My current work reflects that renewed freedom-allowing myself to experiment, play, and explore materials in ways that feel both personal and liberating. In many ways, the journey back to becoming a full-time artist feels less like a reinvention and more like a return to who I have always been.