As a working writer I study the world around me – its peculiarities and paradoxes – and write stories about what I see. In my favorite assignments, I scrutinize taboos and investigate the quirks, losses, and impossible expectations of being a mother, daughter, wife and human.

Born in New York City to artist parents – my father is a painter and illustrator and my mother is a potter and mosaic muralist – I grew up there and in Boston. My passion for anthropology, theology, fine arts and theater led to studies at McGill University, the Sundance Institute, Parsons School of Design in Paris and the Banff Centre for the Arts.

My love of theater and writing coalesced into several dramatic monologues which I wrote and performed as solo works in venues from private readings to theatrical performances in New York City, Boston, Seattle and Portland, Oregon. For 15 years, I worked in print, film and video production for corporations and non-profit organizations.

As a workshop leader and coach, I teach Grant Writing for Success and How to Make a Great Presentation, professional development workshops for business people and artists. I've taught in NYC, Chicago and throughout the Pacific Northwest at Lewis and Clark College, the Regional Arts and Culture Council and Richard Hugo House in Seattle.

My book on grant writing for artists and writers will be published by Random House in 2011.