Titled Bath Time. 37 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed. 24" by 36" unframed. The artist says of herself I was born and raised in Montana where I learned to appreciated nature around me at a young age. Art always played a major role in my life and after retiring, I picked up the paints and brushes I'd carried around for years to pursue the art career I dreamed about as a young woman. If I'm not in my studio, I'm usually out with my camera, gathering reference materials. Very rarely do I paint from references that I haven't gathered myself. Part of the experience is remembering the sounds and the scenes as I'm developing the story in my painting. I'm mostly a self-taught artist, however, workshops I've attended with various artists, has helped me in my journey. I've picked up techniques and practices that have been useful in the development of my own style of painting, plus, I've met some really great people along the way. As I develop a painting, I strive to communicate the story of my subject through color, texture and light, hoping to cause the viewer to pause and contemplate on the conversation. I've painted with several different mediums, but my favorite is oil. I only use professional grades as they have more pigment in them so they are richer and more vibrant. I do enjoy pastels for painting songbirds and I play around with different art forms, but I'm happiest when I'm up to my elbows in paint.