I was born in Toronto, Ontario but raised in Belleville since the age of two. As a child, I was inspired by Canadian artist, Robert Bateman, as well as Carl Brenders and a few other wildlife artists.

Through many years of dedication, time, and patience, drawing has helped me pay closer attention to the smaller details in life that are often unnoticed in our daily lives. It's the moments in life that I want to capture through the beauty and innocence of the wildlife kingdom and in the eyes of children portraits. Graphite and coloured pencils allow me to bring realism into my drawings in controlling each stroke through the trained vision of my eyes and the movement of my hand, onto my paper in being able to bring the viewer in closer.

I have taught both children and adults how to draw for the past 10 years through our local college and in private lessons. As well, I have designed Canada's first online drawing and coloured pencil courses offered presently through seven Ontario Colleges. The online courses have been successful in teaching individuals how to draw in the comfort of their own home with the guidance of step by step lessons and demonstrations.

While my widlife and children portraits have been commissioned throughout Canada, U.S. and Europe, I have also participated in many juried exhibitions, studio tours, festivals and solo exhibitions in showcasing my work. I have been awarded in many juried exhibition for my portraits including an Honourable Mention and Member Choice Awards. My artwork has been published in a current high school textbook by McGraw-Hill Ryerson, a promotional brochure by Sakura Products of America and numerous newspaper publications. Through the past 15 years, I have volunteered in art workshops in local schools and arts enrichment programs. I am an elected member of the International Guild of Realism and a local member of the Belleville Art Assocation and the Quinte Arts Council.

With a diploma in Advertising and Marketing, I have worked as a graphic designer for over 22 years now and as a website designer for over 17 years.

When it comes to my artwork, I want to be able to say one day that I never worked a day in my life....because it was all "a labour of love" as Robert Bateman would say. I recently read a quote that said, "there will be two dates on your tombstone, and everyone will read them.. but the only part that matters is the little dash between them." So in other words, it's not so much the years you were born or died that are significant but the years that are in between them in how you live your life. Draw, paint, write...whatever makes you happy....go for it. So many things still to do as I walk through this journey myself with goals and dreams still to come true.

Melissa