I'm a sophisticated country girl. I grew up in small Kansas towns and have traveled around Europe. I prefer to buy my designer clothes second hand. It's thrifty, a low impact form of recycling, the money I spend goes to a good cause, and of course, there's the thrill of the hunt!

I believe in dealing with situations openly and honestly and would never intentionally hurt anyone.

I'm a retired magazine art director. I create art, to sell, to donate to worthy fundraisers, and to make myself happy.

When I can, I volunteer for the Habitat Restore. I find wonderful things there to create assemblages. And I'm an officer with the local art guild.

I garden organically and have a variety of fruit trees. I find great satisfaction in growing my own food, although weeding in July is not a favorite activity. I try to keep things heavily mulched.

creative problem solving. Right now my solution to a slightly leaky washing machine is a very large sponge.

the mischievous sparkle in my eyes

My current favorite book is "Art Making, Collections and Obsessions". It makes me feel better about my basement.

My current favorite movie is "Pane e tulipani" (Bread & Tulips), an Italian romantic comedy. It's subtitled but worth the effort. I love movies, old, new, or subtitled. Witty dialogue, twisted plots, outstanding performances, outlandish characters, stunning cinematography, terrific adventure, mind-blowing special effects. I’m not wild about blood, guts or horror, unless, of course, it’s done with humor and wit. The wood chipper scene in Fargo comes to mind - those crazy Coen brothers!

The music I listen to fits my mood, activity, and time of day. I clean house to vintage Joni Mitchell. If I'm up late creating in the studio, it's 40's, mellow jazz, or Broadway tunes. For relaxing background music, I go new age or R. Carlos Nakai and a summertime party usually includes the Beach Boys. If I'm feeling nostalgic, James Taylor is singing to me.

I like my steaks rare, my fish cooked, and my fruit fresh. I love trying new dishes and savoring old favorites. Indian, you bet. Thai, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Seafood, BBQ, picnics. I’ll try it all, but I prefer flavor not fire. I've taken Thai and Bengali cooking classes and throw cardomom pods around, with abandon.

my son
my friends
email
graph paper
pencil
my appreciation for the absurd

what I'm going to create next, what new medium I'm going to try, and the benefits of $4 gasoline - yes, there are many.

home watching something I've tivo'd - which is why I'm here.

I've already mentioned my basement, right?

I have piqued your curiosity even a little bit.