The Artist

Rediscovering an old passion, one pencil stroke at a time.

My Creative Journey

From pencils to fabric and back again.

Creativity has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It shows up in different forms and materials, but it's always been about the same thing—the joy of creating something with my own hands.

Where it all began

More than 40 years ago, I enrolled in a pencil drawing class at Big Bend Community College (Moses Lake, WA). I discovered how much I enjoyed the challenge of recreating what I saw on paper.

I experimented with botanical drawings, including mushrooms and rhododendrons, and even drew a truck that became a favorite with family and friends.

And then life got busy.

I put my pencils away and didn't pick them up again for decades. In fact, by the time I decided to return to drawing, my old materials were no longer usable, and I didn't even have my original pencils.

But that doesn't mean I stopped creating.

Creativity takes many forms

For much of the past decade, quilting has been my primary creative outlet. I love choosing fabrics, combining colors and patterns, and piecing everything together into something beautiful and useful.

This quilt is particularly special because it's a collaboration with my sister, Patty Polley, who created the beautiful Sashiko needlework blocks. I designed and pieced the quilt, then entrusted the quilting to a professional longarm quilter. I've always believed that a talented longarm quilter can truly bring a quilt to life.

Patty does amazing needlework—something I've never quite mastered. And I'm certainly not a longarm quilting expert. But I do know how to collaborate with the best!

Even when my drawing pencils were tucked away, my creativity was alive and well. I'd simply traded pencils and paper for fabric and thread.

Picking up my pencils again

About four years ago, while I was still navigating my transition from a career to whatever might come next, my husband bought me a new set of colored pencils.

And there they sat.

Until recently.

I've finally opened that box and begun exploring realistic colored-pencil pet

portraits. Given my lifelong love of dogs, particularly Bouviers des Flandres, it

seemed like a natural direction to take.

I've enrolled in an online colored-pencil drawing course, and I'm learning new

techniques, experimenting with materials, and discovering just how much patience

it takes to capture the texture, expression, and the animal's personality.

I'm very much a beginner again. Some days things come together beautifully. Other

days, the eraser gets quite a workout! But I'm enjoying the challenge of learning

something new while reconnecting with something I loved many years ago.

Who knows where it might lead?

One of the things I've discovered in this next chapter of life is that we don't always have to search for something entirely new to find fulfillment.

Sometimes an interest we've set aside is simply waiting for us to return to it.

And returning doesn't mean picking up exactly where we left off. We bring years of new experiences, different perspectives, and perhaps a little more patience to the things we once enjoyed.

I have no idea where this artistic adventure will take me. Perhaps someday I'll create portraits for other people who love their pets as much as I love mine.

For now, I'm learning, experimenting, and enjoying the process.

Sometimes all it takes is opening that box of pencils.

Commissioned Pet Portraits

Capturing the Personality and Spirit of the Animals We Love

Every animal has a personality all its own. That familiar expression, the sparkle in their eyes, the tilt of their head—those little things that make them unmistakably yours.

Through original colored-pencil portraits, I strive to capture those special qualities and create a lasting keepsake of a beloved companion.

Each portrait is drawn by hand from your favorite photograph, with careful attention to expression, character, and detail. To give each piece the time and attention it deserves, I accept only four commissioned portraits each year.

I offer two sizes, both featuring head-and-shoulders compositions with a clean background and generous space for custom matting and framing.

5" x 7" Original Pet Portrait
$250

A beautiful, intimate portrait that captures your pet's distinctive expression and personality.

This smaller format is perfect for displaying on a desk, shelf, or gallery wall and makes a meaningful gift for someone who treasures their animal companion.

Your commissioned portrait includes:

A 30-minute initial Zoom consultation.
One animal, head and shoulders.
Original, hand-drawn colored-pencil artwork.
A clean, simple background.
Thoughtful composition with space for custom matting.
Artwork delivered unframed and unmatted.

Payment Options

Choose the payment option that works best for you:

Pay in Full — $250: Pay the full amount when placing your order.
50% Deposit — $125: Reserve your commission with a 50% deposit. The remaining $125 will be invoiced when your portrait is completed and is due before delivery.

A Special Thank-You for Paying in Full

When you choose to pay in full, I'll include a complimentary keepsake with your finished portrait. A little something extra to celebrate the special bond you share with your pet!

Pay In Full

Payment Option

8 1/2" x 14" Original Pet Portrait
$450

For those who want a larger, more prominent tribute to a beloved companion.

This format allows your pet's portrait to have greater visual presence while preserving the expression, character, and detail that make the artwork so personal.