ABOUT THE ARTIST   "With my husband Jeff's encouragement, I began to paint in earnest after the deaths of our two daughters to Werdnig-Hofman Disease. What I paint is a reflection of things that mean the most to me. Since we have always farmed and lived here in northeast Nebraska, we are surrounded by wide-open sky, rolling hills, creeks, animals and beautiful wild flowers. The innocence of children in everyday life especially touches my heart. Our daughter, Jenna who was four when she lost her sisters, has been the focal point of many pieces. We have since been blessed with a healthy son, Cole in 1996. He is also appearing in some new favorites of mine.  Oil and watercolor are the two mediums in which I have chosen to work. They allow me to be versatile in capturing the various moods of the subject I am painting. Since I am a self-taught artist, there are always new techniques to learn. God has blessed me with a certain amount of ability and I feel as an individual that it is my responsibility to develop His faith in me."