CURRENT MISSION

My mission is to create and to travel.

ABOUT ME

I describe myself as a multi-media artist. I’ve been creating art since I was four years old, drawing pictures on scrap lumber as my Daddy, a carpenter, worked and watched over me. He became my first critic and fan. I began sewing clothes for my dolls, about that same time, on Mama’s old peddle machine. They were the best dressed dolls in the neighborhood, wearing fur coats crafted from an old muskrat coat that she gave me.

After 30 years of career development, deciding it was time for self-development, I gave up my position at First Union Bank (now Wachovia) as a Mortgage Loan Officer and enrolled at Hollins College, Roanoke, VA. I graduated in 1996 with a Master of Art in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Studio Art.
I served as executive director for the Arts Council of the Twin Counties for 5 years. I found the position was a marriage of my life long experiences in banking and my enthusiasm for the arts. Crunching the numbers had a whole new meaning for me as I found myself taking a sabbatical from self-development (once again) to develop something much more important, an organization to serve our friends and neighbors in the Twin Counties. Not only was I working to develop this organization, but I was and am working to develop a strong infra-structure for economic prosperity through cultural tourism with “Round the Mountain, SW VA’s Artisan’s Network (www.roundthemountain.org) and now, especially as Associate Director for Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax (www.chestnutcreekarts.org). My passion moves from the canvas to the office, again and again.

Time is limited for creating paintings. I steel an hour or two when my creative self will not stand another minute of separation. I am very gratified with what I have been able to do for the community during the last few years.
My house is now one colossal studio space. In warm weather my palette is the garden. I have one space set up to experiment in fiber arts and another for painting. My kitchen is always alive with the culinary arts. I enjoy flame-working (glass bead making) and stained glass in still another studio space. I’ve even added a ceramic studio and spend hours throwing pots and sculpting anytime I can steal away.
Continuing with the business side of being an artist I’ve partnered with Becky Guynn, and Bob and Theresa Lazo to create City Gallery, Fine Art, LLC. Check it out at www.citygallerygalax.com.
I pour my heart and soul into my art work, a huge and important part of my life.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in balance, everything in moderation. And while I believe this, I'm not sure I've accomplished it. But there will be other lifetimes ahead of me, so I'll keep plugging along. So while I'm in this one I also strive to live by my Daddy's philosophy: If a job is once begun, never leave it until it's done. Be the labor, big or small, do it well or not at all.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am new to CS, but I look forward to the experience. I have hosted people in my house for years and years, starting with exchange students from France, Spain, and Finland. I am active in Partners of the Americas as chair of the arts committee for the Virginia/Santa Catarina Chapter. I've hosted and been hosted by many Brazilians.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I travel as often as I can. I've spent time with several of my former exchange students in their counties and I've traveled with Partners of the Americas to several Central and South American sites. Having a person to person experience in a foreign country is so important for a joyful and enriching trip. I want to open my corner of the world to those interested in having similar experiences.

Interests

In addition to the arts I enjoy anything outdoors. I live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We have an abundance of outdoor activities available year round.

• arts
• gardening
• clothing
• traveling
• pottery
• painting
• drawing
• outdoor activities
• business
• communications
• teaching
• tourism
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm a multi-media artist, but totally upable to do anything musical. I love all genres, but espeically Jazz.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In addition to giving birth and watching my granddaughter come into the world, my most proud accomplishment is to give birth to my brainchild, Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. I've had a big hand in raising $1 million and we are about to celebrate the grand opening. Now its time for me step back and enjoy this planet. I long to search for other amazing things!

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn so much that there is not enough room to write about it. My mind is a dry spone ready for what ever a guest might offer. If you're a master teacher, we can always use you at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. As for what I could teach, I would be happy to offer painting (oil & watercolor, printmaking), lampworking (glass bead making), pottery (wheel-throwing or slab work) and many other art forms.