I was born and raised in Western Montana. Although I spent a lot of time drawing, most of my childhood involved studying music. It wasn't until I went to college that I discovered my passion for the visual arts. I began my undergraduate education at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, with an emphasis in graphic design.

After a couple of years, I transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and focused my education on drawing and painting. I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration in 1996.

As my college days ended, I began working in-house for a company that produced educational software and books for children. For the next four years I spent my days at the office creating children's illustrations and animation, and my nights in my studio painting personal work for my portfolio. By the end of 1999, I became established enough as a free lance illustrator to quit my day job and illustrate full-time.

In 2004, I took a break from full-time illustration because of health problems. This lead me down an unexpected career path. I began teaching part-time in the art department at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in 2005. I soon found that I had discovered my second passion! I love to teach and I love working with students!

Now in 2007 I've begun my masters degree in visual arts at the Art Institute of Boston. Contemporary art is an exciting new world for me and the program at AIB is excellent. I paint at home in my studio, and as much as possible, get outdoors and enjoy nature. I love traveling, experiencing new things, and spending time with friends and family.