Because I am drawn to the graphic nature of black and white, my pieces always begin with designs in black India ink on quality, acid-free papers. Such designs may include the flowing bark of tree branches interspersed with fruits and leaves, the fantastic curlicues of fish scales or the rhythmic patterns of architecture, for example. I then add bright, saturated colors in gouache, watercolor and/or acrylic. The color combinations I choose are inspired by what I have seen during my travels and studies, such as Mexican folkart, Indian saris and Japanese textiles. The result is a celebration of both the serenity of our natural and man-made environments and the energy that informs them. I began creating art seriously in high school. After graduating in 1984, I attended Queen’s University in Kingston and the Ontario College of Art (as it then was) in Toronto, traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Australia for several years and hitch-hiked across Canada and the United States, received a degree in South Asian Studies from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, studied South Asian mythology, religion and folklore at the University of California at Berkeley, completed a diploma in textile design from Capilano College in Vancouver and a law degree from UBC, worked for a few years as a lawyer, got married, and became a mother of two energetic sons. In 2004, I moved to Nelson in the West Kootenays of British Columbia. Here, I continue to indulge my creative side and am thankful for the opportunity to do so. My work has been shown at several Nelson venues, including the Touchstones Nelson giftshop, and I have participated in the annual Nelson Artwalk event, showing my work at the Dancing Bear Inn and at the All Seasons Café. I am a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and have also completed several commissions.