Ever since I can remember, I have loved being outside and drawing what I see. As a child born in Billings, I experienced early on the beauty of a Montana sky, mountain, and river. And how fitting, because from the time I first learned to sketch, I was able to transform what I saw in 3D to a likeness on paper. In my youth, my parents moved back to Ohio, but I continued drawing landscapes of the West and portraits from photos and still life. Over the years several people encouraged my passion and gift and so in college, I opted to study art, eventually earning my BFA in oil painting (along with a K-12 teaching certificate). Shortly after graduation, I sought means to return to Montana—to once again take in the gorgeous views and outdoor recreation-- and thus applied for a job through Americorps. Wouldn’t you know it, there happened to be an open position right here in Dillon. After a phone interview, Roger Pelletier hired me, and my sister and I packed up the Toyota and headed back West. Although Dillon was almost unbearably small at first, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with it. Very quickly I acquired another job, met some good friends, and got involved with the Drift Gallery and sold some paintings. Despite all these good things, I knew something was missing in my life but I couldn’t figure out exactly what that was. Although I always believed God existed, I was thoroughly disillusioned by religion and filled with ideas about who I thought the Creator was. It wasn’t until I moved here, separated from what I had known, that I was able to hear the truth shared to me by a local pastor. It was God’s simple plan of salvation from the Bible which requires only that I change my mind about my own beliefs and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. Only He could provide the redemption and peace I knew I was seeking. We are all going to die someday and He is the one way to heaven. “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” is one of my favorite verses and just so happens to appear on the University of Montana Western campus – which I depicted for the Helena Street mural. I owe much to Dillon and the folks here. And now, I know why I paint: to glorify God and his wonderful creation (which He miraculously created out of nothing) to bring the same joy to others.
