It started with crayons, and then a little tin of watercolors. Charcoal and poster paint in High School led to being an art major in college. But, at a time when abstract and collages of an unrecognizable subject was the class agenda, Colleen's interest in art waned.

Twenty years later, Colleen commissioned an artist to paint a portrait of her friend's Irish Setter, Gypsy. The painting was atrocious. "I'll paint it myself," was the remark that led Colleen to her first oil painting class. Her first completed painting was a barn scene that won a blue ribbon at the County Fair. A year later Colleen's version of Gypsy was given to her friend, with a joyous response of smiles and tears.

Retiring to Oakhurst with her husband Dan brought Colleen into a whole new community of active artists. The privilege of taking classes with Jerome Grimmer and learning to paint in acrylic has brought insight and confidence.

Colleen's love of nature is a never ending source of inspiration and intrigue for her landscapes. And, she still does the occasional pet portrait as a reminder of where her joy of painting got its start.