I am a graduate of Riverside High School in Painesville, Ohio where I first discovered my love for art. I had always been talented in the arts but it took my teacher Dr. Porter (Doc as we called her) for me to realize I wanted to base my career in the arts and equestrian studies. Doc was my inspiration that I could have both art and horses in my future. She herself was not only an art teacher but a horseback rider as well. My senior year of high school she honored me with the Senior Art Award. She did so because she believed in me, that I could combine and do well with both my loves.
After high school I attended The University of Findlay, where my artistic and equestrian skills blossomed into great talents. I graduated with my Associates in Western Equestrian Studies and my Bachelors in Multi-Age Visual Arts. I took my Praxis II my senior year and passed on my first try with stellar marks.
Straight out of college I was hired as a high school art teacher at Crestwood High School in Mantua, Ohio. My first year as a teacher I passed my Praxis III and just like my Praxis II I had amazing scores and review. I currently teach Art I, II, and III, Ceramics and Sculpture, AP Studio Art, and Studio Art. To help benefit the community I also taught Community Adult Art Classes during the fall and spring until the program was cut. In my spare time I am working on my masters degree.
Each year I prepare and enter my students into Scholastics Art and Writing, Ohio Governor's Youth Art show, and the Portage County Schools Art Show. In 2009 I received a Top 25 Educator Award from the Ohio Governor's Youth Art Show for my student's amazing work that made it into the Top 25 in the show. In 2010 I received a National Gold Educator's Medal for my student's outstanding National Gold Medal at Scholastics Art and Writing. In 2013 I became the new Regional Director for the Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition for our area. Also in 2013, I received another National Gold Educator's Medal for my student's outstanding National Gold and Silver Medals at Scholastics Art and Writing
I have had my photography published in the Quarter Horse Journal of Carol Williams, a World Show Top Ten exhibitor. My photography has also been used on the Ohio State University's Veterinary Student Featured website as one of the featured images of Adam Pendleton, third-year vet student and current farrier. I have also done commission art work and photography for Geauga Horse and Pony Association and other individuals. In 2011and 2012 I had a booth at the Village Peddler Festival, Kirtland Ohio selling my art and photography.
