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      Biography and Philosophy...

My artistic philosophy might best be described as open source!  By that I mean that my intention is to be open to artistic expression of all sorts in myself and others.  I am a mixed media artist to the core and love experimenting with new and different materials in my figurative work.  I'm open to where these materials carry me and the change in direction they cause.  In figurative work I have found a home for all the different techniques I've learned,  the horde of materials I've collected and an open and expanding ground to express the ideas of my artistic imagination.

As a full time working and teaching  artist I want to be a source to others.  A source of education in doll making and figurative work, sharing techniques and ideas by teaching .  As a creator and source of art work for sale I have a personal policy of making certain that my work is available in a variety  of price ranges, giving my best effort to each.   I love most of all to imagine an idea, work out the technical difficulties and enjoy the personal satisfaction of seeing my ideas materialize and the pleasure they give to others. 

Born in 1947, my life in art began early.  I'm the oldest of five children nurtured and encouraged by our parents.  Most early memories include paper, paints, crayons, scissors, bits of fabric, yarn and the gift from my parents of the knowledge that I could do anything.  Both my parents are artists in their own right, my dad a painter and my mom a master gardener.  They saw my path clearly and guided gently, letting me feel I'd found my own way into a career in art.

In school I took all the art classes available with a few private lessons thrown in.  After graduating from high school I attended Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and Boston Museum School.  I have continued to take workshops and study new techniques under gifted teachers and with the help of many books.

I married Stephen Walmsley in 1971.  Steve is an accomplished carpenter and musician, playing bass, six and twelve string guitar.  In our two artist family he's been a constant support.  Our sons Dylan, born in 1977 and Nathaniel born in 1981 shared our rural  log home.  I love building big things too so the design and building of our house on 40 acres in Franklin county Indian, is a treasured memory.

After college I began my career as a clothing designer and worked for years making one of a kind leather clothing.  Having made and sold dolls and toys as a teenager I eventually decided to go back to the beginning and work in figurative art.  A sculpture workshop in 1983 was the last piece in the puzzle. I've worked full time in a wonderful studio in Oldenburg Indiana since 1990. 

I create a variety of one of a kind and edition work shown at juried craft shows, exhibitions and museum shows around the country.  I teach workshops and seminars for groups of children or adults and small classes here in my studio in sculpture, mold making or costuming.  A number of books and publications have featured my work and I am proud to be a member of The Ohio Designer Craftsmen Guild, a yearly contributor to the Rural Alliance for the Arts and a member of the National Institute of American Doll Artists.  NIADA is now an international organization with about 75 member artists working in mixed media figurative sculpture.  The organization welcomes artists creating one of a kind and editions in all types of materials.  Our mission is to educate the public and work to bring this art form into the mainstream of artistic life.  Visit www.niada.org to learn more!