I’ve worn many hats in my life—one of them as a court reporter for a decade.

Hard to believe, right?

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On my daily walks to the courthouse, I stumbled upon the Art Institute. I couldn’t resist signing up for night classes. Before I knew it, I was faux painting walls and murals for friends. Things quickly snowballed, and a Chicago designer brought me on for projects that would include Chicago Place and Fort Sheridan.

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In 2004, I took the leap, left court reporting, and launched Smart Art Studios, transforming over 200 spaces with decorative painting. My work even made its way into Better Homes and Gardens, HGTV, and more.

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Eventually, I stepped down from the scaffolding to focus on my personal art, earning a BFA and exploring mixed media, acrylics, spray paint—anything I could get my hands on!

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In my fifties, I discovered my passion for teaching while volunteering at my mom’s nursing home. Today, I teach "sip and paint" parties, classes for seniors and art classes for adults with special needs.

 

Whether it’s painting or simply having a good time, I love guiding others to discover their creativity—we have fun along the way.

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And there you have it—a few of my many hats!

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