Fascinated by color, design, architecture, art and artists all my life, I took up painting rather late in life after raising my two daughters and practicing law for many years. Art museums and galleries have always been some of my favorite places to spend time. Perusing art books is a happy pastime. That is perhaps how I began developing an artist's eye. I am a self-taught artist and take classes and workshops from artists I admire as often as I can.

People who know my work say it effuses joy and optimism. All I know is that I love watching people at art festivals, captivated by one of my paintings, stop in their tracks and rush up close to it with a huge, wide-eyed smile on their face. That is the best feeling -- second only to learning that someone must have a piece of my art in their home or work environment!

Art is energy and emits that energy into the space where it lives. I imagine each of my artworks helping to create an environment that inspires people to feel buoyant and to interact lovingly, joyfully and creatively.

I enjoy organizing events, especially in support of art and artists. I am delighted to have had the honor of chairing this year's Council of 101's Art in Bloom Silent Art Auction benefiting the Orlando Museum of Art. Twenty-eight of the most talented artists in Central Florida participated in this year's auction. I look forward to organizing more such events in the future.

I founded The Gallery 32789, an art gallery on Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park, Florida in September 2022. Visit us online at www.thegallery32789.com and in person at 515 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789.