As a child I was fascinated with nature. I collected shells and feathers and raised tropical fish and box turtles. A bird book and binoculars were always by our kitchen window and I remember the excitement as we tried to identify the birds that came to the backyard feeder. This interest in the natural world eventually led me to a degree in environmental studies from Colorado State University and to permanently relocate from the North East to the West.  

After graduation, I found a career with the National Park Service as an interpretive ranger. From the depths of Death Valley to the flanks of Denali, I lived and worked in some of the most spectacular places on the planet. During that time, I gained in-depth knowledge about plants and animals and their dependence on balanced healthy ecosystems in order to flourish. I also became aware of our human needs for those same healthy ecosystems, not only for food, shelter, fuel, etc., but to also fulfill our need to connect with nature on an emotional and spiritual level.

After 32 years of working in 10 different park sites, I retired from Federal service in 2009 and now spend my time traveling, doing international consultation on preservation projects, teaching photography workshops, and working on my art. As a photographer, I am mostly self-taught, but regularly take courses and workshops to keep my skills current. After years of using film and the wet darkroom, I am now fully integrated into the digital world. Recently I have expanded the scope of my work into the realm of mixed media and encaustics (an ancient process using natural bee’s wax and tree resin)—striving to make one of a kind art pieces. I take the utmost care when creating my art to use high-quality archival materials, such as pigment- based inks and acid-free materials, to insure the longevity of each piece.