My art making practice has included making jewelry, teaching art and art history illustrating and writing a children’s book, Good Morning, Encinitas.

In 1973, I earned a BA in Anthropology from UC San Diego. Shortly thereafter, a chance encounter with an exhibit of cloisonné jewelry inspired me to intensive study and practice of that ancient technique, which had been revived by the NY artist Robert Kulicke. Joining my husband for a year-long stay in the Solomon Islands two years later, I took the opportunity to develop designs from the tropical surroundings.

Moving to Hawai‘i in 1978 provided the chance for me to pursue jewelry making as a full-time occupation. I joined the local craft organization, Hawai‘i Craftsmen, and participated in their yearly juried exhibitions as well as workshops given by international craft artists outside the state. Through those workshops I became acquainted with a small but active group of metal artists with whom I exhibited regularly at a variety of galleries in Hawai‘i. In the years following I regularly participated in group and individual shows with fellow artists [see resume]. 

At about the same time, 1980, I applied to the American Craft Enterprises’ Rhinebeck Fair, an annual craft marketing event that attracted gallery representatives from the East Coast. The contacts made from participating in this event in 1981 and 1983 provided sales contacts for the years to follow.

In 1986, I returned to San Diego to pursue a MA in Jewelry/Metals at San Diego State University, working with internationally acclaimed metalsmiths, Helen Shirk and Arlene Fisch. Upon completion of that degree, I was presented with the opportunity to teach at Punahou School in Honolulu. Over a 26-year career as an art teacher I taught classes at the high school level in jewelry, art foundations, drawing, and AP art history. I also acted as department head for several years and coordinated a summer art history course, traveling to Europe with groups of students. 

I was granted sabbatical leaves in order to work on Art History curriculum in 2005 and 2013, during which I spent time in New York and in France. I have also spent the months of May and June in Normandy for several years, again as a partner in my husband’s research.

Returning to Encinitas, California in 2015, I have continued the practice of jewelry making and drawing. In 2021 I illustrated and wrote a children’s book about my neighborhood, entitled Good Morning, Encinitas.