I love to paint everyday scenes...people eating, drinking and waxing philosophical about life.   I'm from a large Italian family who loves to talk.   While other families had hobbies  (like fishing  and camping)  we grew up relishing our conversations over the dinner table.   There wasn't any other place we'd rather be.   Between the eight of us we could solve all of the world's problems by dessert and coffee and begin afresh the next day.  

     I'm inspired to capture the warmth I felt as a young girl...to bring life to how beautiful a simple meal is, or  how even the reflection of intimate conversation with people you love continues to bring  joy long after it has passed.

     I always wanted to be an artist but my father discouraged me from a young age.  He had lived through the Great Depression and wanted to see all of his children pursue practical careers.   I put away my dreams, earned a business degree and worked in the corporate world for several years...all the while taking art classes on the side and feeding my passion.    I finally took the big leap of faith to pursue my heart and paint,.  When I told my father he said, "I always knew you should be an artist".  

     Not having pursued art right away has made me so grateful for the opportunity I now have...to express my emotions, my heart, my very life through my art.  I am very blessed.