I am an artist and a teacher of traditional arts in a junior high school setting. I try to teach my students about the magic of creating something that never existed before their hands created it, and the traditions and cultures of those throughout the world who are creating such things right now.

My own artwork is based on the land and the human form, and often done in brightly colored pastels on paper or board. Some pieces are large three-dimensional paintings that represent both the land and the figure and are carved and richly painted.

I live in Montana where the beauty of the land is an unending inspiration. I am married (16 years now) and have 3 sons and 2 granddaughters. I am amazingly lucky and happy and want to spread the love of art and the respect of artists to all I meet.

What do I like best about Novica? The quality of everything I have purchased is always excellent, I love supporting other artists, and it makes me feel just a little like I have traveled the world to find those "just right" gifts. That Novica is associated with Nat'l Geographic is wonderful. I've purchased artistically designed jewelry, incredible hand-woven hats, hand batiked clothing, and original art. Everything has arrived packaged in boxes that are so beautiful that they themselves are gifts. I feel very good about supporting these amazing artists, and even better that I can make the micro-loans to them as well. We are all in this job of making the world a better place and we need to do it together. In this small way, I feel I can help and the reward is immediate! It can't get much better than that.

Thank you to Novica and Nat'l Geographic for helping to preserve culture and artistic tradition throughout the world.