I am a multi muse artist, mother of one, daughter of two, sister of 3. I believe that art is life and life is art. Oil painting, illustration and writing are my primary muses. With oils I often do plein aire landscapes of the beautiful sierra foothills of my home. But I also paint archetypal, mythic, fantasy images. My illustrations are largely commissioned works, pen and ink drawings, and range from political cartoons for environment watchdogs to beer labels for a local brewery. However I am also working on a graphic novel, writing, designing and illustrating, the works!
I have been living in the Nevada City area for most of my life but have also lived in the Bay Area, Chico and Surprise Valley.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I haven't traveled as much as I'd like. So this spring I decided that I needed to change that. Galway Ireland is one of many places I want to experience. The graphic novel I am creating has some landforms similar to Galway area.
As for Couchsurfing, it was recommended by several friends who had been to Galway and other places. I am into supporting local people in my home town, why not every where I go? Local people know their home turf best- magical places to see, food to eat, music and other artful happenings!

Interests

• arts
• writing
• cooking
• walking
• painting
• drawing
• magic
• hiking
• philosophy
• art
• journaling
• imagining
• nature lover
• art process

Music, Movies, and Books

My taste in music is pretty eclectic. Favorites to paint to are Annie Lennox, Daft Punk, Verve Remixed, Dire Straits...
Favorite movies tend to be animation oriented: anything from Hayao Miyazaki, Secret of Kells, Propolis... but also Bagdad Cafe, Slumdog Millionaire, Secret of Roan Inish, Bend It Like Bekham, Cloud Atlas, Inception...
Books: Earthsea Trilogy, the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials, Little Big, The Rope Maker, The Girl Who Drank The Moon, The Great Bay, Heraclea, Tao of Physics, The Chalice and The Blade, Anamcara, Taking The Leap, Global Awakening, Sappho's Leap...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I illustrated a tapestry series telling the story of the rural community of the San Juan Ridge. 12 giant drawings, all 30" high and varying in length from 76" to 144". One black and white drawing for the embroiderers to trace onto the linen (they taped it up on a big window) and one copy that I colored with colored pencils to give them a jumping off point for color reference. My part took 8 years. The embroiderers (an informal group of community members) are working on the last 4 simultaneously.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm an artist. I'm happy to share what I've learned from the mediums I have explored.
I love to cook and eat. Learning new recipies, or sharing my own.
I love to walk and hike and be outdoors. I would love to learn more about a place by walking around in it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking and cleaning up! Artifying! Pen and ink portraits! Stories from my life!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States