I guess I found out in Grade 1 what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I had always loved animals and when there was an art contest in class, I did a painting entitled “Down At The Farm.” It won first prize. But it didn’t really click until I was in my early 20’s. (Some of us take longer than others!) I had graduated from a graphic design program and was a junior at a design firm living on a small budget. Meanwhile, my apartment desperately needed some decorating and I decided to attempt a pen and ink drawing of two puffins. Afterwards, my friends asked for drawings and paintings for themselves and it grew from there. Now I don’t think a day goes by without my observing and drawing the amazing world outside my front door. The need to share the beauty of nature, and animals in particular, is an intrinsic part of my life.
Over the years I’ve been a graphic designer, an illustrator and a cartoonist. But I always come back to my first love. Animals, nature and that special bond between pet and owner.
When I’m not doing pet portraits, I still do some freelance illustrating and designing. Clients include Canadian Wildlife Federation, Environment Canada, Scholastic Canada, Okanagan Science Centre, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Forest Communications, Science North, Health Sciences North, and the City of Greater Sudbury.
