I have been an artist as long as I can remember, and I have a pretty long memory! I sold my first painting at 17 years old in an art expo at my high school. The next day I tried to buy it back because I was sure I'd never do anything that good again! Fortunately that wasn't the case, but I'd put that painting up against my best and I think it would still hold up.
I married right after high school and immediately started a family. Not a choice I would recommend to most people, but it worked for me. My husband Dave and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in October, 2008 in Venice! Having a good sense of humor and fun has gotten us a long way! We have 2 sons, Jeff and Greg, and 2 grandsons, David and Dylan.
I denied my art for 25+ years. It came out in crafts and home decor, as well as personal greeting cards I always made. But in the mid '90's I felt a spiritual need to create art again. As with all passions, it just started to flow. First with oils, then pastels.
I found a wonderful mentor in James Penland, an artist and art icon in Ocean City, NJ. Jim challenged me and forced me to push the envelope! He taught me about pastels and the wide array of paper choices that create different effects and dimensions.
Photography is also a love. During the years I wasn't painting I was working in creative businesses, (i.e. advertising, marketing and public relations). That's where I learned about Photoshop. Almost by accident I began taking photographs and turning them into works of art on my computer. You can see the results on this website.
In the late '90's I started writing poetry, for myself and family, and discovered a writing talent I'd never recognized before. Then in 2000 I was inspired to write about Duffy, our adopted cockapoo. He was an inspiration and became the subject of my 1st children's book, The Duffy Chronicles, Duffy Finds His Family, the 1st in a trilogy. There are more books to come!
And check my blog! www.hammondart.biz/blog2
Dave and I live in Philadelphia, PA. and Ocean City, NJ. with Sydney and Buddy, our furry kids.
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