A Bit About Me...

Here's a few FAQ's:
1. How long have you been doing this (art, that is)?
I've been drawing ever since I can remember. I would draw these little, plastic animals while my Mom took her French lessons. I'd draw our furniture. I'd draw designs and curly-cues. A new and better version of a Christmas tree would appear each year. I drew ants, birthday cakes, sea shells, clouds....you get the idea. I've been a self-employed artist since July, 2000.
2. Did you go to school for this?
Yes and No. I have a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois. I learned a lot, mostly because I was painting and drawing all of the time for two years! I've learned so much since then. For example:
-How to make professional looking business cards out of leftovers.
-How to paint bushes in three colors and FAST.
-How to keep acrylic paints wet long enough to blend them, sort of.
-How I wouldn't trade what I do for a desk job!
3. Well, what did you do before?
My more mundane jobs have included waiting tables and counter help at a fast food joint and a dry cleaners ( I moved up to stain removal and pressing! ). I sold computers for about a year, just before the *new* Pentiums came out. The most rewarding and well-paying jobs have all been some form of college teaching. I assisted people in reaching their creative potential.
I have taught drawing, figure drawing, and portrait drawing. The painting courses included both oil and watercolor. I also taught lecture classes: art appreciation and the history of western art.
The last school to have me on their faculty was a computer school. So, I learned some graphics software including an animation program (3D MAX). It was cool for awhile but, look what I'm doing now: painting stuff by hand, mmm.