I think every artist struggles at one time or another with the choice to create for personal satisfaction or to please others. Ideally, the two would coincide and create a mutually beneficial relationship that satisfies the artist' need to create and provides works of art for all to enjoy. For many years I struggled with this dilemma. I truly love to create, but I always thought it would be so much more fulfilling if I could also sell my work. I know I could make money doing commissioned works - I have done it in the past. But I've always felt there was something missing. The pictures were beautiful and the people loved them, however my creative desire was not met. With the encouragement of family and friends, I am now able to pursue my love of painting and to use my inner passion to create works that fulfill me artistically.

My art career began early in grade school. I can remember being at the lunch table and I'd just start drawing the girl sitting next to me. The human body, male and female, is so beautiful and graceful. I've always been fascinated by the way people move, an expression on a person's face, the look in someone's eyes. In high school, Lake County awarded me the Sylvia Stoner Artist of the Year Award. I went on to earn an AA degree in design, followed by a BA in Performing Arts (acting) from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. My artistically gifted sister, Katie, once said, "You manage to break all the rules (of art) and get away with it."

Some of the greatest influences on my art have been the Italian Renaissance painters, including Michelangelo, as well as English Victorian painters. Other inspirations include musical masters from the classical period, and Greek and Roman sculpture and architecture. The theatre was the catalyst for my self-expression, which was then translated to my artwork. As a result, I tend to paint things "larger than life" with a heightened expression of color and composition. The divine beauty and grace of the human form moved me to specialize in portraits. With encouragement from friends and family I decided to give in and just create from within and to paint with passion.

The miners, both modern and early miners, are my current passion and focus. These men were, and are, passionate about their profession and the competitions in which they take part. They support and love each other. They always have been true athletes. The zeal the miner's feel for their profession inspired me to capture them in my work. As I walk through the ruins of the mines I feel their spirits still. They are not trapped - they just left their hearts and souls behind in the mines. I strive to make sure they are not forgotten. Hence, both the modern men and the ones whose spirits still wander the abandoned mines are pushing me forward in this latest endeavor. They are grateful that a tribute is being paid to the dying profession that founded this country.

It was my exhibition at Leadville's National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum that validated my decision to pay tribute to these men of the earth. I watched as several miners both past and present viewed my works. Seeing grown men, big burly miners, getting the start of a tear in their eye was reward enough - I knew immediately I had done it - I had captured their spirit in my work - viewing my work they were immediately transported back into the mines. It's all been worth it!