While drawing this very bird with berries at the age of seven, I decided that I wanted to one day be an artist and teacher. My natural passion and eventual professional training led to decades of creating in the arts and guiding students of all ages, skill levels, and various exceptionalities in the arts. After a few years in private and public education and as a self-employed artist, I home-educated my own children through high school and, in 2010, established Niagara Arts Academy (NAA) where I offer my studio space and guidance in various ways - with in-person and online private tutoring, group art lessons, art parties, and full courses. 

Seeing the spark of joy in someone's eyes when they are pleased with their creation remains one of the most satisfying experiences in my life. Like Bob Ross, I encourage joy in my students too. He'd say "You can do anything here - the only prerequisite is that it makes you happy."

As I free up more time to create, I have been taking on fewer and fewer students. The inevitable means that I will be taking on no new students in 2024.