What is the best thing that I love about my work? The thing I love most about my work is that it pulls me forwards, helps me grow, helps expand and to be at my most present. I see art as a vehicle for growth of the self and then sharing the work allows that energy to be channeled and connected to by others. I can go on and on about what I love about my art. I love that it is my ultimate connection.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? My idea of perfect happiness is being truly connected. When I make choices that support me in living a life with adventure and openness and a lot of joy and humor. Once again, it’s presence and connection that I believe for me, bring true happiness.

What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is letting it all slip away. My fear is that I won’t use my gifts to the best of my ability and I’ll let it pass me by. Having this awareness is helpful because it enables me to work on pushing past the fear. I love this question!

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? The trait in myself that I deplore the most is insecurity. I wish I knew for a moment my true potential. I can feel the essence of it but have not yet been able to touch it. Even though I deplore this aspect of myself, I also see it as a gift because it touches upon my sensitivity and desire to support others in their quest for self-connection and love.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? I truly admire Alyssa Monks who is a professional painter and teacher. She has created a life immersed in art and personal truth. She has really plugged in and connected to her ultimate strength and expression. I so admire that. Jo Jayson is another artist I greatly admire. Jo has become a good friend and I love her truthfulness, talent, openness, kindness, passion and pretty much everything about her. I can’t say enough about Jo and how much she has inspired me through her magnificent art and the person she is. Tonja Sell is an artist I follow online who creates and teaches. I love her dedication to her path. She seems to have stayed very true to herself as an artist. I can just feel the love and passion in all that she does and I am inspired each time I see something new from her whether it’s traveling to teach or her stunning art. All three of these woman feel so strong to me yet vulnerable enough to create art that is alive and full of emotion.

What is my greatest extravagance? I am not really an extravagant person, I’m kind of frugal but we do go away for three weeks over the summer to Martha’s Vineyard. Martha’s Vineyard is my soul home. When I am there, I am present. I feel that the things I find the most extravagant in my life all pay for freedom and peace. Makes sense to me.

On what occasion would I lie? I would lie if telling the truth would hurt someone a tremendous amount. I’m not sure I could handle it, but I am working on moving past this. I honor truth more than just about anything.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The thing I dislike most about my work is the surface level aspect of it. I am not really interested in the surface even though it can be interesting and acceptable. I am interested in what lies below the surface and want to delve deeper in to exploring this part of the creative and life experience.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? A couple of years ago I did a portrait a day challenge for 30 days that turned into over 100 days. I did it for the purpose of self-care and growth. I got lost in the experience in a good way and felt so alive every day. There was no pressure, just joy. I was inspired each day by either an emotion, life event or current experience. I love the freedom in this ritual. It served me very well. One day I just pulled away from it and I find it hard to do it again, but that feeling and that experience was heaven to me.

If I could, what would I change about myself? If I could change one thing about myself I would change my holding back. I would love to let that go and allow my energy to flow like a faucet that is turned on full blast. I just want to channel energy and get out of my own way.

What is my greatest achievement in work? It is hard to say what my greatest achievement is but I feel that when my art really touches someone I feel I have achieved something. When I am teaching and I see someone’s eyes light up the moment they make a new connection and learn something new is the ultimate. I guess again, it’s all about connection and energy exchange. These are things a greatly value.

Where would I most like to live? I would love to live in Martha’s Vineyard to see what it’s like all year round. The beauty of the water and the solitude speaks to me. There is a feeling of space and slowing down that I feel when I am there and it is a creative place which of course I couldn’t live without.

What is my most treasured possession? It is hard to think of my most treasured possession, but the thing that first popped into my head is my car. I have a jeep wrangler which I had always wanted since childhood. My mother would say that I cold never get it because it wasn’t safe. My husband and I decided, why not? Whenever I see it I think of freedom and taking chances. That may sound silly, but it’s true.

What is my most marked characteristic? My most marked characteristic is being very talkative. I can talk and talk and talk. Believe it or not though, there are times I can be very quiet too. As I get older I find that I need the balance of exertion and inaction. Maybe one day this won’t be my most marked characteristic, however I doubt that.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? There is a jazz club in my town that opened a couple of years ago called Maureen’s Jazz Cellar. I hadn’t made it there until recently and I have to say that it is my favorite location for inspiration. I love music. In my fantasy life I am a singer and a musician. I get so lost in the energy and I am so grateful to all of the musicians putting their heart and soul out there into the world.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? In my town my favorite place to eat is a Japanese restaurant called Murasaki. Sushi is my absolute favorite food. There are two little rooms in the front that are pretty private and we like to sit there as a family and just relax and enjoy each other’s company. I love that place. As far as drinking goes, that’s a touch one. I used to love an Indian restaurant that had the best bar and bartender, but it sadly closed. I’m still having a hard time getting over that and I haven’t been able to move on yet.

What books influenced my life and how? Seat Of The Soul by Gary Zukav changed my life in my early 20s. It is a book about the physics of the soul. I have always been a spiritual person and this book just spoke in a way that made sense to me. It opened my eyes to our purpose on this earth. I love that book. A few other books I really loved were The Passion of Artemesia by Susan Vreeland, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, Wild by Cheryl Strayed and the Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer. Each one of these books is connected because of the exploration of self and resilience. I have learned through reading these books our connection as humans and that we each have a light that we can bring into our life experience.

Who are my favorite writers? I am not sure that I have favorite writers since the books that I have read are so all over the place. I have loved them all. I am amazed by writers and their ability to create a world in a book. So many words chosen to bring the reader on a journey. I have pretty much loved them all.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? On my last day of life I would have to listen to Joni Mitchell. She has been a tremendous inspiration to me on so many levels and I would love to honor that day by spending my last bit of time with her. In addition to Joni Mitchell I would be listening to the Beatles and some Cat Stevens. This is a tough one to answer by the way because a lot of what I listen to depends on my mood.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? I am honestly not sure that I have a heroine in fiction. As a child I wasn’t much of a reader so I loved Wonder Woman and the Bionic Woman, but now I find myself most inspired by woman in reality.