About the Writer/Artist
I am a passionate fan of fantasy of all types, an avid reader and love creating both fiction and art. I have a Masters degree in education, and two undergraduate degrees - one in psychology/religion and the other in fine arts. Since retiring from my full-time employment as assistant VP for academic affairs at the college of art and design where I finished my art degree, I have been pursuing freelance writing and illustration. I have a strong interest in creating fantasy short stories, children's books and in writing YA fantasy fiction that introduces/explores gay or gender issues.
My other current pursuit is the study of energy healing. I am a Reiki Master-Teacher and have completed training in local-distal acupressure. I am fascinated by the ancient Chinese Five Element Theory as it applies to all aspects of living, but especially to health and healing. In addition, I have taken certification training courses in Quantum Touch, EFT and Matrix Reimprinting.
I have been a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, so just for fun in my spare time, I have written/drawn Harry Potter fanfiction/fanart. I've also drawn fanart for the Wreaththu books by Storm Constantine.
I am also a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings. At the age of 13, the Hobbit was the first fantasy book I ever read, and I still remember how utterly blown away I was by it. It was what started my love of the fantasy genre in the first place. Thank you, J.R.R. Tolkien!
And dragons. I LOVE dragons. Hmmm. Maybe that's why they seem to keep reappearing in my artwork.
My hobbies include gardening (I especially love Japanese gardens with bonsai trees and ponds full of koi), songwriting (I play piano and guitar), doing puzzles (especially MahJong and Sudoku), computer games (Obduction, Myst/Riven/Exile, Timelapse, Longest Journey, Heroes of Might and Magic III, Legend of Zelda) and oh, did I mention reading and writing?
I suppose I should also mention that both my original fiction and art have been published, and have won several awards. My main claims to fame are that I have been published in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine; that I won a major award for my sculpture piece, Gnarley-Snarley, in a state-wide juried fine arts exhibition; and that I did about 175 pieces of artwork for Sharon Stone's character in the Touchstone motion picture, Last Dance.
My Wraeththu artwork, Portrait of the Tigron, won the 2010 Rosatide Art Competition.
My entry for July in Neil Gaiman's Calendar of Tales illustration contest was shortlisted for the final project.
A digital 3-D object I created, a blue vase, was included in the computer game Obduction by Cyan, the makers of the Myst series of games.
I have also done a book cover and book and magazine illustrations.
I love to get e-mail. If you like what I do, I'd love to hear from you!