About the Artist
Bringing a Little More Colour to the World
Painting the places and moments that bring me peace and joy.
PAINTING IS THE DESSERT OF MY LIFE—it's the bit that fills me up, satisfies my cravings, and yes, sometimes feels like a guilty pleasure.
I'm a Signature Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (AFCA) and currently serve as Secretary on the executive of the Victoria chapter. My paintings have found homes in private collections all across the country, and you might catch me painting during my residencies in hotels around Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Originally from Manitoba, I fell in love with art at an early age and took lessons at the Art Gallery of Western Manitoba. My parents, my teachers, and especially my Aunt Beth (a potter) and Uncle Mac (a painter whose work hangs in the National Gallery) helped nurture this passion. I earned an Education degree from Brandon University, focusing on art education. When I started teaching in Birtle Manitoba, a small rural town, I happily took over teaching the art classes for other teachers in the school!
After a few years teaching in the small town of Birtle, Manitoba, I took a detour into clay. For about 30 years, pottery ruled my world: making, teaching, and running a studio/gallery. I even transformed an old lumber yard into a studio/gallery and later became managing partner at The Pottery Store, a collective of six potters in Chemainus, BC.
In 2007, my MUSE called me back, and I returned to painting full-time. My work is endlessly inspired by where I live—Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island—and the everyday sights: light and shadow, textures, reflections, moods that wash over a scene at different times, and even quirky, quiet still lifes.
For a while, I juggled art with another gig: working as a Certified Personal Tax Practitioner for about 500 clients. I know! It's a crazy thing for an artist! However, that seasonal hustle gave me plenty of time to create art the rest of the year. In 2018, I sold the tax practice to focus entirely on painting.
Since moving to Greater Victoria in 2011, I’ve been lucky to live near my adult children and grandson—and to soak up the island’s daily beauty. When I’m not in the studio, you might find me at the Union Club, playing snooker or billiards (and yes, occasionally winning!).
EXHIBITIONS
Regional Shows:
2025 - FCA Fall Show - Juried
2025 - FCA Summer Show - Juried
2025 - AGGV Summer Small Works Show
2024 - FCA Fall Show - Juried
2024 - FCA Spring Show - Juried
2024 - AGGV Winter Small Works Show
2024 - AGGV Summer Small Works Show
2023 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - Juried
2023 - AGGV Summer Small Works Show
2023 - AGGV Winter Small Works Show
2022 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - Juried
2021 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - juried
2021 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - juried
2020 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - juried
2020 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - juried
2020 - Vancouver FCA Small Artwork Collection - selected pieces
2020 - Vancouver FCA Social Distancing Exhibition - juried
2020 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - juried
2020 - FCA Vancouver Active Members Show - Juried
2019 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Juried
2019 - FCA Vancouver Small Works Show - Juried
2019 - FCA Spring Show/Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - Juried
2019 - FCA Vancouver Active Members Show - Juried
2018 - FCA Fall Show - Juried
2018 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - Juried
2018 - Ministry of Health Exhibit, previously juried paintings by FCA Victoria members
2018 - FCA Vancouver Active Members Show - Juried
2017 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Juried
2017 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - Juried
2017 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - Juried
2017 - FCA Vancouver Active Members Show - Juried
2016 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Juried
2016 - Sidney Fine Arts Show - juried
2016 - Sooke Fine Arts Show - juried
2016 - FCA 75th Anniversary Show - juried
2015 - Federation of Canadian Artists Victoria Fall Show - juried
2015 - Sidney Fine Art Show - juried
2014 - Sidney Fine Art Show - juried
2014 - Federation of Canadian Artists Victoria Fall Show - juried
Solo Shows:
2025 - Union Club of BC McGregor Dining Room
2024 - ArtSea Gallery in Sidney
2024 - Hotel Grand Pacific Residency
2024 - Empress Hotel Residency
2024 - Union Club of BC McGregor Dining Room
2024 - Coast Harbourside Hotel Residency
2023 - Coast Harbourside Hotel Residency
2022 - ArtSea Gallery in Sidney
2022 - Union Club of BC, McGregor Dining Room
2022 - Delta Ocean Point Hotel Residency
2022 - Coast Harbourside Hotel Residency
2021 - The Gallery at Cedar Hill Rec Centre
2021 - Laurel Point Inn Residency
2021 - Union Club of BC, McGregor Dining Room
2015 - Union Club of BC, Begbie Lounge - Victoria BC
2012 - Just Jake’s Restaurant - Duncan
2011 - Dancing Bean Café - Chemainus
Awards & Recognition:
2025 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Honourable Mention for ‘Chinatown Eatery’
2024 - FCA Victoria Summer Show - Honourable Mention for ‘Stream of Stones’
2024 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Honourable Mention for ‘Serenity’
2022 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Honourable Mention for ‘Pears’
2022 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - Honourable Mention for ‘A Rocky Path’
2021 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - Honourable Mention for ‘Rapids’
2020 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - 2nd Prize for ‘Tide Pool’
2020 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - 3rd prize for ‘Snooker Balls Waiting’
2017 - FCA Victoria Spring Show - Peoples' Choice Award for 'Storm Heading for Ladysmith'
2017 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - Peoples' Choice Award for 'Misty Morning Over Blenkinsop Valley'
2016 - FCA Victoria Fall Show - 1st Place for 'Pickled'
