I was born with a love of art and horses. My passion for the creative arts was fostered early on by my elementary art and drama teachers, my baton and dance coaches, and my own desire to express myself through art. Whether I was acting in a play, painting the scenery, dancing, or twirling, I always strived to paint a picture of hope and inspiration for my audience. I was always surrounded by animals, both real and imaginary. My room was filled with stuffed animals, and I often used them as characters in my plays and poems. I was also fascinated by the sea animals at Sea World, and I was thrilled to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the sea lion care facility when I was eight.  This sparked a great desire to connect and better understand animals. I didn’t know it then, but one day my two loves would collide.

After completing graduate school with a master's in Christian counseling, I served as a counselor in a variety of settings, including schools, group homes, churches, and private practice. I even began to pursue pet-assisted therapy with my Newfoundland dog. While I was fulfilled in my calling, I also missed painting and creating. In 1999, I decided to pursue my passion for art professionally and began a second career as a muralist and faux finishes artist in Charleston, SC. My favorite murals often featured animals, some even drawn and painted to scale. Can you imagine having a life-size horse peeking out of a barn stall in your room as a child?