I exhibited an aptitude and passion for drawing and sketching from a very young age. However, it was not until I attended the University of Alberta (1986) that I received any formal training in visual art. My B.A. with a minor in Fine Art gave me a broad base and a good foundation to continue developing my creative talents.

The following six years, were filled with a desire for experience and personal growth. Fiercely independent, I travelled around Canada working and living in several small picturesque towns, vibrant cities and even a mountain top, all the while expressing myself creatively with paint whenever possible. It was an exuberant drawing teacher at the Ottawa School of Art who encouraged and convinced me to pursue my passion formally. At that point, ten years after initially entering university, I felt that I had the confidence and sense of self to follow my dream.

I was accepted into the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver, and began a four year journey to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Art. I received numerous awards and scholarships along the way including a much coveted exchange placement to New York City. The opportunity to study for one semester (1999) at the Cooper Union School of Art in NYC proved a monumental experience in my life. A huge catalyst for personal and artistic growth, the experience has shaped my work ever since. Since graduating in 2000, I have branched out in several directions all the while maintaining painting as my central focus.