For 15 years, I studied mycology, the study of fungi. During this time, my art was sent to the back burner to simmer (and burn at times!) Many years of academic studies in fungi led me to microscope work.  This training allows me to observe the minute details in my subjects.  It also taught me that the smallest mushroom is worthy of reverence. I see some sort of personality in everything.  Sometimes it’s a momentary judgement:  the tenacity of a pansy blooming in January, the abandonment of a dog in the middle of play, the disdain on the face of a cat. I think that’s what brought me back to art: wanting to show the beauty, humor, and wonderful detail I see in all the animals and plants around me.

My hope is that when people see my paintings, they too will appreciate the subject the way that I do.

 

While I love all animals, I tend to really be a 'dog person.' The two dogs pictured here are Filbert and Preston. Filbert was the dog that got me through graduate school. He died in August 2006 of prostate cancer. Filbert was an amazing dog. He even shared his toys with both his human and his animal friends, and he had a lot of friends! Fil's first love was water in all forms except that which comes from the shower faucet. He loved snow so much that the first time I took him up to the mountains to play in it, he got so excited that he threw up. He also loved the Pacific Coast and would jump right into the biggest waves, much to my dismay.

Filbert was very, very wise and taught me a lot.

 

Preston was adopted a month after Fil died. Preston had been brought from California where he was at a humane society, scheduled for euthanasia due to heartworms. A wonderful veterinarian brought him to Oregon and cured him of his heartworms (still heartworm free after 3 years!). Preston, despite being at least 4 years old, hadn't been socialized much and wasn't housebroken, again, much to my dismay. He's come a long way now, although the postal carrier still carries pepper spray just for dogs like Preston. He is extremely territorial, but such a sweetheart once you get to know him!

Preston is very much in the now. He loves tequila sunrises and he doesn't share his toys with anyone.

They are both amazing dogs (in their own way). That's why I call this "Fillpress.com".