I moved to New Orleans with my family when I was 18. My dad was an Aero Space Engineer, a true “rocket scientist” working at the Mississippi Test Facility. He was also an inventor and an accomplished artist. My love for art and painting is due to my dad’s enthusiasm and encouragement. I wish he was still here to see my work

I was young when we moved here, but I loved everything about New Orleans: the history, the architecture, and the people, especially the people. Two months after we moved to New Orleans, Hurricane Betsy hit. The neighbors and our new friends were wonderful they treated us like members of their families. Together everyone helped each other get through the disaster. Although I could do without hurricanes, I will never forget our great friends.

I attended UNO (University of New Orleans) and studied Liberal Arts. At the age of 18, not many people know what they want to be when they grow up, I sure didn’t. Time went by and I fell in love with the nicest guy, Joe. We got married, moved to the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, where we raised four great kids.

Our busy family life of soccer, soccer, and soccer slowed down when the kids started to go to college. After a trip to some beautiful old plantations on the Mississippi River I started painting again. My love for history and architect grew. The plantations were some of my favorite paintings. I gave the plantations paintings away—they made great wedding gifts. (It was before copy and printing services became easily available.) If you are interested in a special order with a plantation painting please let me know.

Before long, all the kids were in college and we experienced the empty nest syndrome. I became a realtor and loved exploring the beautiful homes and old buildings. I started painting watercolor “Portraits” of homes and businesses. I think I enjoyed painting the homes as much as I did selling them. (I still do watercolor portraits of homes; please contact me for more information).

Last year one of my daughters requested a unique gift to give to her staff. She suggested using copies of my French Quarter paintings to make slate coasters. We used the old art of decoupage on the slate tiles. They came out beautiful and everyone loved them. (See more information: The Art of Decoupage)

Thanks to my daughter I started thinking of ideas to make gifts with my art—something that can be displayed and used too. That is how my French Quarter paintings came about on slate, wood and metal trays. My friends that enjoy wine also inspired me to create my hand painted wine themed gifts.

I hope you enjoy my art, and enjoy giving them as gifts.