I moved to Maine over 30 years ago in search of a dream- to have horses and dogs on an open piece of land I could call home. That dream has been fulfilled and has become our way of life. It is a part of us, not just a place.

I grew up with Labrador Retrievers. My father used them for duck hunting and we swam with them as kids in our pool. That is one if my fondest memories as a child and those dogs were my best friends. I began working for veterinarians in high school and later for a wonderful country vet. I immersed myself in his veterinary books and he allowed me to assist him in surgeries. I was surrounded by animals of all kinds, including an office goose. These animals have taught me a lot about life. The horses about freedom of spirit and sensitivity and the dogs about unconditional love and companionship. Without them, this place and I would not be complete.

I am fortunate enough to work at home and this allows me to pursue my passion for breeding and raising animals as well as my artwork. Friends come over once a week for a painting workshop and the dogs, though they seem unaware of it, often model for us. We take the opportunity to catch them in a pose while sleeping on the couch or in a chair. This has led to other paintings of other animals and again my dogs unknowingly inspired me further down a new path . I am not questioning the course that I travel now- just go with the flow of it. Things just seem to work out whenever a dog is involved!