I was born in Kassel, Germany made reknown by the Brothers Grimm who wrote their fairy tales here. And, I like to think that their fairy tales have influenced my whimsical and artistic inspirations. I have Polish parents, who fought in the Warsaw Uprising and the Underground Resistance Movement in Poland during World WarII. Both were captured by the Nazis. Dad, was an officer in the Polish Army and then a POW (Prisoner of War). My mother(†), at age12, was forced labor working for a German family.

My parents and I immigrated to the US in 1950. The oldest of four siblings, I attended parochial and private Catholic schools and was very active in the Polish Community in Chicago, especially in Polish Scouting (PYA-Polish Youth Association). Both my maternal grandmother and mom were very active, so I was only six when I joined. At 14 I became one of the youngest leaders of a Polish "brownie" troop, and continued my work with the children for over six years– every Saturday and at camp during the summer. I have terrific memories. Memories that influenced my art as well. Shortly after receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois Chicago Circle, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in graphic design and start a family.

Beyond graphic design, I'm also a painter and sculptor. My favorite moments are losing myself in a canvas never knowing what image will emerge. My contour line drawings manifest themselves in a similar fashion, as do my A-Name-ation characters.

So how did A-Name-ation come into being? A friend of mine was finally successful in bringing her adopted daughter to the states from Viet Nam after a long and costly two-year struggle. She met Vyvy when she was a tiny baby. But with all the delays, when Vyvy finally arrived, she was walking and talking. We decided to throw the long awaited baby shower anyway. So for a shower gift, I decided to create something unique for little Vyvy. Something that she could relate to as a child - something that wouldn't get lost in a toy box- something that would stand the test of time. Vyvy got very excited when she unwrapped the picture with here mom. She pointed to the letters one by one. Her reaction became my inspiration and my incentive to make this type of original art available to children of all ages.

After many years in Los Angeles, I finally moved to San Diego to be close to my
daughter Julie and her family. Here I spend a lot of time with my delightful grandchildren pictured with me above – at the time this photo was taken
Cole was five and his sister Quinn was two.

Cole is now 17 and Quinn 14.
Time surely does fly.

“Art appreciation - food for the heart and soul at any age."