Born and raised in Seattle, I lived my adult life in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.  My formal art training was at Cornish School in Seattle.

In the mid 1980s I began a jewelry apprenticeship with Lois Bertolino and continued working with her for several years before venturing out on my own as a jewelry artist. I continue to pursue my jewelry work and I have been working in oil pastel, as well,  since 2005.