I am an educator and artist, whose passion can be summed up in a few words, “creating art is for everyone”. Teaching and art making have been part of my whole life. I used to teach languages, computer graphics design, music and jewelry making. Before my recent retirement I used to teach educational technology at the Foreign Service Institute of the State Department. When my only child, Chris died from cancer at age 12, I was devastated. My heart broke into million pieces and I felt I lost my life purpose. It was at a grief conference when I was introduced to painting as a way of dealing with grief. I immediately felt a deep connection with colors. I attended several art classes including silk painting, acrylic, watercolor and alcohol ink, mandalas, and art journaling. I realized that with brushes and paints I am able to express what is hard to say in words. I committed to rebuilding myself as an artist.

I obtained art teaching certifications in a variety of art making methods including:

Art of Allowing Facilitator 2019 as taught by Flora Aube.

Cosmic Smash Booking Guide 2018 as taught by Catt Geller.

Intentional Creativity Teacher 2017 as taught and curated by Shiloh Sophia, passed on to her by Caron McCloud, Sue Hoya Sellars and Lenora Thomas.

I am a member of the Intentional Creativity Guild and the Arlington Artists Alliance where I am also a curator of one of its local venues.

When I am not painting or teaching art, I enjoy practicing mindful awareness meditation and socializing with other artists. I am also dedicated to helping kids with cancer via the Chris Lantos Foundation that my husband and I established in memory of our son.

I live in Virginia with my husband Attila and my son’s cat Mr. Mittens.