
One day, she asked me if I wanted to learn how to oil paint and I said I could try. I also said- as people typically do- “But, I can’t even draw, let alone paint”. She replied that you don’t have to know how to draw to be able to paint. She also told me that part of the bargain was that I “pass it on”- meaning that I share my new knowledge, skills and other assistance with someone else who was ready to try.
(I have fulfilled that obligation.)
I agreed and began landscape oil painting with her guidance and was surprised and pleased that I was doing so well! I sold and donated a few pieces and had a showing at the AZ State Fair and the Tempe Super Bowl XXX exhibition, among several businesses regionally.
Living in the Southwest, I was captured by the spaciousness, serenity, colors and beauty of the desert.
I took an art class at Apache Junction and a soft pastel class in downtown Phoenix.
After 9 years, I moved back to Cleveland, Ohio in 2000. I love the changing seasons. The Cleveland area has much to offer.
There was a long lapse of time in which I didn’t paint at all.
In 2005, I did a few a few abstracts had a showing at the Doubting Thomas Gallery in Cleveland’s Tremont area and had an inclusion in the American Graphics Communications 52 Weeks 52 Artists desk calendar.
I’m painting again, exploring different mediums, learning and experimenting. I am currently working with acrylics and designing abstracts. I was enrolled in a class at the JoAnn DePolo Gallery in North Olmsted.
At the beginning of 2013, I joined the Lakewood Art League – Lakewood, Ohio. I joined the Westlake Westshore Arts Council in 2019.

Sadly, Isabelle passed on a few years ago in Sun City, Arizona.
I will always remember and be grateful that she took her time to share her knowledge and skills with me.