About

I currently have time to express myself creatively on the page as well as the canvas, but it wasn't always that way. While  , for the most part, I've yearned for more time and energy for creativity. When I was a little girl visiting my grandmother, she let me stay up all night as long as I was reading. She had an expansive book collection that included my mother's childhood books, my grandfather's medical journals, all of her American and English literature, a massive collection of mysteries, and tons of National Geographics. If that wasn't enough, we visited the library every few days. We also spent a lot of time doing creative work and visiting museums. These experiences awakened my lifelong desires to write stories and create pictures. I've been fortunate to do both; usually on my own with little fanfare. For the past ten years, my writing abilities have served me well in professional communications, marketing, public relations, and philanthropy, while my artistic interests have allowed me to connect with groups of all ages and ability levels through hands-on experiences. In the fall of 2026, I look forward to working with my young students and collaborating with my partners at Journey Together, a start-up nonprofit, faith-inspired organization empowering families to navigate the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia. I may be close to 60, but learning and personal development continue. I am part of an amazing writing circle with author Carmen Goldthwaite (find her books and workshops here).

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A native Texan, I live in Dallas with my husband, and our two grown children live nearby. 

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EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Arts, Art History, Texas Christian University​

The Writer's Path, Southern Methodist University, Simmons School of Education & Human Development​

Interior Design Post Graduate Certificate, University of Houston

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

- Early Childhood Art Teacher, The Children's Center, Dallas, Texas (current)

- Chief Advancement Officer: Fund development initiatives, non-profit and senior living marketing, organizational communications, advancement team development; Development Director: Content creation, digital marketing, volunteer coordinator, Juliette Fowler Communities​

- Higher Education Regional Development Director: Major gifts officer, Texas Christian University​

- Museum Assistant/Curatorial Support: The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Rienzi Center for European Decorative Arts, Museum of Fine Arts Houston​

- Fine Jewelry Sales, Merchandising, Bridal Registry, Customer Service: Tiffany and Co., Dallas

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ART:

- Art Shows and Installations: Unity on Greenville, Dallas Public Library, The Cedars Gallery, Starbucks (Wilshire Heights), Dallas Bathhouse Cultural Center (Dia De Los Muertos)

- Art Donations: Jill Allison Bryan's "Infinite Possibilities ~ A Night of Music, Art & Women Helping Women," Chase's Place Special Needs School (Dallas), Mockingbird Elementary (DISD), Greenland Hills UMC Missions, Dallas Resource Center (LGBTQIA+ Services & Assistance)

- Panel Participant: "Who Does She Think She Is?" screening, Pamela Tanner Boll and Nancy C. Kennedy's inspiring documentary about artists who are mothers, Deep Ellum, Dallas

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LEADERSHIP AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

- Spiritual Lesson-Creator and Group Leader: "Zuzu's Petals: Women's Spirituality Group," (GHUMC, Dallas, Texas)

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OLDER ADULT & DEMENTIA INITIATIVES:

- Advancement Volunteer and Co-Founder: Journey Together Dallas (current)

- Volunteer & Co-Creator: "Artful Awakenings" Therapeutic Art for Individuals Experiencing Dementia

BLOGGER:

Earliest Ashley, Polite Rebellion, Heirloom Apparent 

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