​I was born in Arkansas to two struggling college students, including a dad who had just returned from WWII and was getting his education on the GI bill. Because he returned to the military as an officer after earning his degree, we lived all over the world. Both parents are artists; my mother taught oil painting – I’m sure I was her favorite student.

 

I married Pete Graves in 1967 – a government employee who moved us all over the United States while our children were growing up. After 36 years of marriage, Pete left this world.

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It was at this point I realized how short life is, and that my dream of watercolor painting should start right away. I retired from my sign painting/graphics art/splash art 28-year career and began studying my favorite medium. Besides, I was tired of climbing ladders and scaffolding, sometimes outside in temperatures varying from something below zero and 110 F. Enough, already! I wasn’t getting any younger!

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I remarried in 2004 to Frank Federspiel who lived next door and had lost his spouse as well.

Besides painting, I enjoy crocheting, creating clay jewelry, camping, being in the water, and generally making messes around the house.