My Arts Journey

I have been making art for as long as I can remember. When the other kids were playing 'Barbie's', I was practicing my sketching.

My parents encouraged this, and my activities were nurtured and fed.

In grade school and high school I always had my sketchbook with me. I also composed short stories and journal entries.

Except for a brief period in Grade 11, I knew that I would attend an arts program in University.

I attended the University of Toronto, which had developed a cooperative program with Sheridan College in Mississauga. Graduates were awarded both their undergraduate degree in 'Art and Art History', as well as a Sheridan diploma for the studio work completed over all four years.

By fourth year, I had specialized in photography, and graduated with a diploma and a four year degree. I have a specialist (13 credits) in art/ art history, and a major in English.

My final art project was to build my own pinhole cameras, and document the landscapes between my home and Sheridan College. I was and still am very interested in the historical processes of photography.

I worked for an insurance company for a few years, before returning to University for Teacher's College. I attended Nipissing in North Bay, and was initially qualified for Junior/ Intermediate.

At this time in my life, I was not creating very much - I was looking for a job, getting married, and then I started my family.

I finally landed a full time job three years after graduation. I have worked supply, night school, summer school, and LTO positions. The only art I was creating was for family and friends as gifts. Since it was easier to find a job with my second teachable, English, I was still not actively creating any meaningful work.

Once my son grew up a little, it has been in the last few years that I have had time for the meaningful creation of art.

I recently upgraded my skills by taking a Photo shop course, and have used those skills and interests to start creating mixed media works.

I have also enjoyed tremendously many craft experiences. I sew, knit, crochet, have tried my hand at quilting, and absolutely LOVE card making/ scrapbooking/ and rubber stamping.

I had an opportunity to change schools, and start teaching art. I am currently teaching 5 of 6 art courses.