If you've been to the main page of my website, you already know the basics about me: I'm an artist, art teacher, amateur genealogist, gardening enthusiast and animal lover in Virginia. But since you're here, I guess you're as curious about people as I am!
I've lived in this general area most of my life and I used to hang out--as a teenager--at the private school where I now teach. I guess this shows that I haven't strayed too far from home over the years! I was one of "those" types during high school--you know, the art, drama, music, literary magazine, philosophy club sort. I really haven't strayed too far from "home" over the years in that way, either!
I'm a 1979 magna cum laude graduate of Bridgewater College in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, earning a BA in Studio Art and with electives in just about everything! To me, a liberal arts education is like a smorgasboard for the mind--I'm intensely curious, I've always loved to think, and I've always loved to learn.
College pics, featuring theatre and art--of course!
After college I worked in a therapeutic rec field with elderly and handicapped adults, and then I stayed home with my two children until they were both in school. During these years I did a LOT of commissioned artwork, designed and marketed cross-stitch kits (with retailers in three states), and first began learning about computers, while doing recordkeeping from my home for small businesses. I also went back to school to become licensed to teach Art in grades K-12.
September 1991: One of my favorite pictures!
I started working in a public elementary school in 1992, and now I teach art at the private college-prep school where the movie "Toy Soldiers" was filmed! My 8th - 12th grade students are absolutely ART-RAGEOUS and it's such a joy to work with them! I also used to teach at a wonderful summer arts camp for younger kids.
I'm in partnership with several fine online stores, earning commissions from sales made through my website. If you regularly shop online, please bookmark my "cybermall" and do all of your online shopping right here!
I've been a single parent since 1987 and my sons are now 24 and 21.
December 2007
I'm also blessed with a number of wonderful furkids.
I know I can't save them all, but too many wonderful--but unwanted--animals are dying in shelters. Fully one quarter of all abandoned cats and dogs are purebreds--including my favorites, Siamese. Rescue organizations do what they can, but there just aren't enough adopters or foster homes to deal with the number of animals who are abandoned each year. PLEASE spay or neuter your pets, make arrangements for your pets' continued care if they should survive you, and consider adopting a homeless cat or dog! Visit your local animal shelter or use the links below to find your new best "furriend"!
I enjoy gardening, digital photography, web design, writing, reading, genealogy, and contra dancing and I can honestly say that I'm never, ever bored! Even if there's "nothing to do," there's always something to think about!
I've always been drawn to eclectic spirituality and metaphysics...
...and experiences over the years
have greatly influenced the way that I view life....
Still curious?
The following links will tell you even more!
My favorite "I can buy ANYTHING here!" online store is Amazon.com. Books, DVDs, CDs, electronics, clothing and more!:
I bought this Fujifilm Finepix S5200 in January 2006. I am VERY impressed!! I've taken literally thousands of pictures with it and it's capable of so much more than what I've done with it so far! While it's a bit "ambitious" to refer to this as a "tutorial," I'm working on a page that shows some of the camera's capabilities (as I figure out what it will do--and how to do it): S5200 Tutorial.
My OTHER favorite online bookstore is Barnes and Noble:
Since July 2000 I've used Dreamhost.com as my webhost and I highly recommend them! Enter promo code ARTRAGEOUS to receive a $25 discount on a 1-year "Crazy Domain Insane" hosting plan!
After years of having a contract plan for my cell phone, I switched to Virgin Mobile. Most months I make and receive very few cell phone calls, so this is saving me a lot of money. I use the Minute-2-Minute plan and usually just have to "top up" $15 every 3 months! Want to know more? Send me an email!
My favorite online clothing store is Blair. I've never been much of a "recreational" shopper (I go to the local mall maybe once a year...) and Blair offers a convenient way to shop, great prices and quality clothing! Click the links below to see what I mean!
