I have only just recently realized that my initials are the beginning of love. While there are many words that start with these two letters, I am choosing to focus on love! In first grade I wrote about my future plans. Even at six I knew that I would be a teacher and an artist–I already knew that I loved both of those ways of being.

As a child, there was little I loved more than a new box of crayons. Hours melted away as I colored and drew to my heart’s content. Drawing–and coloring–continue to be wonderful ways to create. In college, I became a potter. Initially, throwing was a challenging skill for me so I compensated by learning how to alter shapes and work with surface design. More recently, I have found a love for oil painting. Many of my paintings appear to be abstract, but are really close-up views of tree bark. I also enjoy photography! Sometimes I use my photos as references for artwork–other times they are the artwork. The stringing of words together to create poems and paragraphs also fills my soul. Part of the name ‘Turning True Studios’ comes from my turning toward all of these various art forms as interest and time permit to find what is true in a given moment. And, in each, I do find love.

I have recently retired after thirty years of teaching in elementary schools. Throughout my journey as an educator, I have also taught preschoolers and graduate students. Each classroom has had magical happenings. In my fourth grade classroom, I was able to start each day by teaching my students the Zentangle Method® as part of our warm-up activities. The students loved it–and I found that it made such an impact on our connection and their learning of all the skills and attitudes that support optimal education. I am looking forward to continuing to share this creative way of meeting oneself in the moment in all sorts of places and spaces.