from South Crowley Elementary — Crowley, Louisiana

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Biography

My art training dates back to my childhood, my uncle was a commercial artist and lived next door to me. He was a great mentor in that he gave me advice and criticism in a manner that did not discourage me but enticed me to achieve my potential. I had several teachers throughout school that praised my artistic talents and urged me to study art in spite of my desire to go into the field of medicine or education. It was not until I entered college that I chose a career in the field of art. My parents demanded that I not study education, but were more than happy to support me as I studied art; a sad commentary on the economic status of educators. In 1981 I received my BFA in commercial art and advertising from Mississippi University for Women. I immediately found a position with a national firm based in Columbus that produced advertising and promotional materials for worldwide distribution. Before the start of the following semester I already knew that commercial art was not what I wanted to do with my life. While working full time, I enrolled in art education classes at the first opportunity, I wanted to learn how to help people develop their God-given talents rather than allow mine to atrophy in the commercial art field. While following the prescribed studies to earn a degree in education, I stumbled upon classes in education of the gifted. By 1983 I had earned my second BFA, this one in art education and gifted education. I was hired to teach gifted enrichment for the Acadia Parish school system in Louisiana. Once in Louisiana and teaching full time, I returned to school again, this time at the University of Southwest Louisiana at Lafayette, to complete requirements for a MEd in Gifted Education with a minor in computer literacy. Although I have pursued other areas of study since then, I remained in the same position of Instructor of Gifted Enrichment and talented Visual Arts for Acadia Parish until I retired after 32 years in 2016. I can honestly say I loved my job. Every day I went to work I was able to work with bright and talented students who learn alongside me and develop skills along with me. I discovered that art can be used to enrich every area of study and that those who believe they have no artistic talent have just not yet tapped into their great wealth of ability.
I married in 1989 and was blessed with two beautiful, inquisitive children born in 1993 and 1995. It is because of them I became very active within the community. My personal favorite media for artistic expression was lampworking glass, however, changes in my vision caused we to explore a vast array of other mediums and now I don't know which is my favorite from day to day, I worked alongside my children and students on every project we did, they were often my muse and we seemed to feed one another ideas and energy.
My studies in the field of computer and technology were incorporated into the work of my students and myself and brought us to Artsonia where we share our love of art with the world.
My husband passed away in 2013 after battling cancer and my days were devoted to my students and the arts as my children had grown and gone off to college. I retired briefly in 2016 due to health issues but missed the classroom so much that I returned in 2017 as a part time sub in art, gifted, special education, and various other areas until COVID caused schools to close. Upon return to face-to-face school, there was a teacher shortage and I was called upon to return to the gifted and talented program. In order to serve all of the students and still maintain my part time status for health issues, I now serve students through a virtual classroom and online as well as through Saturday Lab and Studio sessions throughout the entire year. My youngest child now teaches middle school art and my oldest child is an elementary reading coach. Together, my children, my students and I are exploring and growing and enjoying art in the world around us in so many ways!

Personal Art Gallery