About Me
Rocks have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I always had at least one rock in my pocket at all times. My life since then has taken an interesting path with several twists and turns as new passions developed. It is an incredible thing to me now that I get to play with rocks again making art.
My journey started in Central Texas. There wasn't much in the way of interesting rocks (unless you like endless weathered limestone and caliche). In my early twenties, I apprenticed to and was soon hired by a local jeweler where I learned basic jewelry construction techniques.
Despite my delight in my new-found skills, I decided to go to college, where I majored in a new passion, Anthropology, at the University of Texas. Interestingly, my love for rocks led me to take so many Geology classes, I ended up with it as a minor.
During this time, I developed a fascination for historic glass trade beads. Pursuing this brought me to the Northwest (thank you!) to study with a bead researcher in Idaho. After getting my Masters however, I discovered a deep love for environmental conservation and fell into a career helping others understand the needs of our fragile planet for the next 12 years, which brought me to my beloved town of Portland, Oregon.
At the end of 2008, I had an opportunity to reassess what I really wanted to do with my life's energy and took the plunge to reconnect with earlier passions and became a fulltime artist. It's been a little daunting, especially during this time of economic uncertainty, but I've never felt more connected to what's really important in life.
Wandering Stones was officially launched in September 2009. I hope you enjoy my work.
