I was born into a Dutch immigrant family on a sprawling dairy farm that got swallowed up by LA. I've been creating since those beginnings as the youngest of nine kids—noticing the world around me, capturing moments.

The world around me was West Africa for 18 years, living in villages, making friends, learning language and culture, doing linguistics, literacy and translation. Then traveling the world to lead workshops and conferences. I’m presently living in Phoenixville, PA.

My paintings express my personality: bold colors, playful designs, celebrating beauty and life. Sometimes representational, sometimes abstract, sometimes in between. They are hopeful, and a solace when the suffering of this world looms large.

I have benefited from many great professors as I patchworked my art training together throughout my itinerant life.

My paintings have appeared in many juried shows and publications.