Although I learned to paint in public school, I took classes in both instructor and open classes at ACC and UT and Laguna Gloria - I consider myself “self-taught”. I think being self-taught has given me freedom to use or not use well established rules, experiment and to make my own mistakes. I learned in elementary and in junior high school that I could draw. All my friends would ask me to draw things for them. I learned to paint in high school – Mrs. Reynolds art class at Johnston High School in East Austin. I would paint before school, at lunch, during art class and after school – it was great. Mrs. Reynolds was well connected with West Austin society women. They would come to our school and buy our paintings for four dollars each. I would get two dollars and the art club would get two dollars. Now I have my own studio and paint and show “full time”. I sell at my studio and at different shows around Austin. It is exactly what I thought it would be when I was going to school – it’s great.

It sounds odd but since back in public schools in East Austin, I knew I was going to be an artist. It took me a long time to get here, but I’m here. My paintings reflect where I come from and what I feel and what I think – I believe that is what an artist should paint. Each one of my paintings has a story or tells a story. The story may be the message I’m trying to convey. Or, it may be what I was feeling or thinking about when I did the painting. I think a painting should tell a story or have a message – otherwise it is a decoration. There is nothing wrong with decorations, our house is full of them. I just think a painting should say something. Notice, I don’t sign my paintings on the front. I sign my paintings on the back so as to not take away from the message or the painting.