Although I love doing art because of the sense of freedom I feel while at work, I always wanted to draw accurately. And I think that is what kept me from drawing seriously for many years. Then, 20 years ago, I discovered the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. That book not only convinced me I could draw, it also gave me the confidence to move into other media and to take formal training. One of my favorite classes at Foothill College was digital painting. I was amazed that I could capture the strokes of painting media so well with Corel Painter, a digital pen and Wacom tablet.

In 2000, photography and nature study came to me when I most needed them. I moved to LA when my husband received a job transfer and I was homesick. To overcome my sadness, I visited a wildlife preserve in the middle of Redondo Beach. There I observed and photographed turtles, butterflies, and waterfowl. I also discovered wild parrots that roosted a block from our home. Photography and nature study also taught me patience, a virtue I would need later to do blueprinting.

Cyanotype, or blueprinting, is an alternative photographic process that I tried at first because it was related to my website about sun protection. Blueprinting requires sunlight or artificial UV light to work. At first I made prints on paper but soon started creating blueprints on fabric. My favorite fabric is silk. I like the way silk feels wet when I rinse it. And the blue color changes with the sun intensity, as well as the fabric type and color I use. I have created blueprints using photos, pressed flowers, tying, scrunching and masking. I mostly enjoy macro photography. Some of my favorite subjects include blutterflies, dragonflies, praying mantis, ladybugs, and honey bees. I still wish to do more sun painting with transparent paints.

Education
• Indiana University, BA, 1992. Studied natural science and behavioral sciences.
• Foothill College, American River College, Lassen College. 2004-2009. Studied art.
• Designated Subjects Adult Education Credential: physical and life sciences, arts and crafts, among others.

Awards and Honors
• During October and November 2005 Blueprints on Fabric, Art at City Hall, Citrus Heights City Hall, October-November 2005.
• Color Wheel Mandala, 1st Place, Wearable Arts, the Sacramento County Fair, 2008
• Abstract Floral Blueprint on Silk Scarf, 2nd Place, Wearable Arts, the Sacramento County Fair, 2008
• "The Story of Sutro Baths," created by Diana Clarke, narrated by Shanna Lefebvre (Shanna Hoda), Sutro Library collection and the Daniel E. Koshland San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
• 2001 Talba Wallis Poetry Competition, sponsored by Julie Smith, 1991 Edgar Award mystery writer. January 2003, co-judged the 2002 Talba Wallis Poetry Competition with Susan Schulter, professor of English at West Valley College.
• I have written several articles on music, theater, and the art of storytelling for the Cupertino Courier and the Saratoga News.