I am a lifelong resident of Howell, Michigan, married with two grown sons.  My love of art began as a child, when my Mother gave me an oil painting set for Christmas.  As I grew up I dreamed of a career in art, but opted for something more practical, nursing.  Later I took classes in oil painting from Linnie Ayles, a very talented local artist.  When Linnie and her husband retired and moved to Arizona I began to work more in pastel.  I noticed that pastel was washable, and with tiny fingers and hands around, less likely to damage curtains and furniture than oil paint. I also noticed other advantages, like there are no brushes to clean and no paint to dry out.  When I start missing the smell and the creamy consistency of oil paint, I drag it all out and do a couple of paintings.  But after a short time away, I am always drawn back to pastels.