What to say? Well, I've been drawing since I could hold a writing implement (as many artists have, I'm sure). I started out drawing anything huge and fangy - like dinosaurs, dragons, sabretooth tigers, werewolves, Godzilla... and lots of monsters of my own design. Why did I draw all sorts of fangy things? Well, I loved big, powerful creatures, and they made me happy, so that's what I drew. Besides, as a girl I was expected (by most grown-ups) to make "pretty" things, and I didn't want to draw what other people thought I "should" draw - I wanted to draw what I felt like drawing. I am very thankful my parents encouraged me to think - and draw - for myself.

When I was in elementary school, you could go to the back of the room and play with anything you wanted when you finished your classwork. I was always one of the first to finish, but rather than play house or dress-up, I very happily painted. If you want to see some of my old, old stuff, see here. I was a very happy little kid, with the best childhood anyone could ask for, a great brother and sisters, and very understanding parents (thanks Mom & Dad)!

ANYway, to make a long story short, I kept drawing as years went by, and read and researched and observed real animals as well - on my own (this was way before the internet, mind you), and with lots of help and encouragement from my parents. Visiting wildlife parks and museums helped to inspire me, too! I've worked in the graphics industry for over 15 years, and I currently do packaging, product design, and illustration. Since discovering all the wonderful art archives online, I've gotten back into drawing the mythical creatures I love (when I have the time), and met some fantastic and incredibly talented artists and writers (and other all-around cool people) along the way.

Er, what else? Hm, I'm happily married to The Most Wonderful Man in the World, and we have two parakeets, two zebra finches, and a hamster. I have too many books and movies I love to list favorites, but I tend towards fantasy and sci-fi; I also enjoy reading non-fiction (never stop learning). I love old cartoons from my childhood like Voltron and the Superfriends and the Bionic Six, and nowadays I love Samurai Jack, The Simpsons, Home Movies, Futurama, and King of the Hill. I like most types of music, but I particularly love NIN, TOOL, U2, The Police, Depeche Mode, Tori Amos, Type O Negative, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Collective Soul, Enya, Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt, and THE CURE! Woo!

Thanks for taking the time to read all this! :) You rock!