I was born in 1966, under the powerful influence of the year of the Fire Horse, a rare sign in the Chinese calendar occurring only once every 60 years. Perhaps this explains my lifelong quest to paint horses.

As a child, I imagined I was a horse, and later turned to drawing them as a way to express my dreams. The inner world I created of horses was much more complex and emotional than the outer reality I discovered at riding stables. Though I never owned a horse until the age of 30, my intuitive understanding of their nature went beyond physical proximity.

I started focusing on painting horses during my second year at the Northwest College of Art. I continued my education at Cornish College but discovered that my idea of fine art was drastically different from this school's approach. That summer, something happened that changed everything. I went to a horse show with some of my artwork. A horse insurance broker suggested I exhibit at the Region 5 Arabian show. I sold two original pieces. Soon it was evident that, degree or no degree, I was a working artist.

My mother, Kay and I started a business called "The Fire Horse" from our home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. We traveled together to horse events and trade shows, and launched into publishing and marketing my limited edition prints. Soon companies like Leanin' Tree Greeting Cards, The Bradford Exchange, and Wild Heart Ranch were commissioning me to do artwork for their product lines. I owe much of my success to my mother's faith in the power of my art, and the legacy of her commitment and support.

Now under the name, Spirit of Horse Gallery, I sell my prints, originals, and commissioned portraits on my website and from my farm studio in Kingston, Washington. My husband, Rod calls himself my joyous personal slave. He is the shipping department, bookkeeper and order correspondent, and all around hard worker.

The internet has allowed me to focus on creating my artwork and corresponding with people who seem to magically find my work in the world. My collectors have the opportunity to be connected with me as the artist rather than the anonymous experience of buying art in a gallery. They have the ability to say, "I spoke to the artist". This is very rare in the art world. My encounters with people are invariably rewarding. For me, the reaction of someone moved to tears, or chills, or awe, by a painting I have done is the greatest compliment they can give me.
It never ceases to amaze me that I have come as far as I have. It is due to a magical combination of desire, luck, perseverance, imagination, and inspiration. Often other artists ask me what my secret is. The advice I give them is: "Do what you love, work hard at it, connect with people who love what you do, and the rest will follow."