“I need you to sign this wildlife disclaimer,” selling agent Donna Baker informed me as we proceeded with the paperwork for my new home. Wait, what?
In the weeks that followed, I enjoyed watching families of deer stroll past my house, but seeing my first bear peer through my picture window from the front porch took my breath away. Monrovia is an amazing place. It has become the perfect home for this creative. I work from home and have plenty of time to indulge my artistic side: fiber arts, photography, writing, home decor, clothing design – even bread making!
I visited the Gamble House after moving here to learn more about my little Craftsman home. Shorty after, I applied for docent training, which involved several weeks of classes to explore what made the Arts & Crafts movement so special to this area. The Craftsman aesthetic of painstakingly creating things by hand vs mass producing for convenience resonated with me. It was like I discovered who I am as an artist and designer and found validation for my love of nature, asymmetry, and the beauty of imperfection. This has motivated me to see and capture the world in a whole new way and to want to share that with others.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My daughter, Brittany, is a physician, a diagnostic radiologist, at Keck Hospital of USC, and my son, Adam, is a commercial photographer in Orange County. My husband died in 2011. I moved here in 2017 to be closer to my children and grandchildren.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I taught high school journalism, photography, writing, design and theater in Redlands before moving here. I continue to work as a graphic designer on everything from view books, brochures, billboards, banners, news magazines and – my most recent challenge – massive iron gates for a new school campus! I also teach and consult at scholastic journalism conferences and workshops, which gives me a chance to travel the country. I lead tours at the Gamble House in Pasadena and design their docent news magazine.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Diplomat. Sena. Peach Café. Merengue.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
It will be five years in July.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I adore my neighbors. I never even knew my neighbors in previous locations. People here are so friendly. I seriously dropped my jaw when the Monrovia Welcome Wagon showed up at my door when I first moved here. I thought such a thing only existed on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to see Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster in “The Music Man” on Broadway!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I enjoy British crime dramas/thrillers on Netflix. “Broadchurch”is certainly a favorite. And nothing like watching “Gilmore Girls” for the umpteenth time. I sometimes wonder if I am one of the very few who finds “The Walking Dead” heartwarming.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Look for beauty in everything.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to master all the cool effects in Adobe Illustrator without relying on YouTube.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I have no trouble deciding. I love classical and will always choose it first.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The pastry counter at Merengue. Two words: “Eat Cake.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Audra McDonald. I’d have her over to my house and ask her to sing.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The residential streets. Oh how I love looking at the homes and wondering who lived in them a hundred years ago. What secrets the trees keep! And as dangerous as those cracked sidewalks can be, they hold so much character and history. To me, it’s what Monrovia is all about.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Still around, I hope!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be a stripper. Now, get your mind outta the gutter! It’s a printer term for what artists used to do back in the day to prepare images on film for platemaking. We’d correct flaws, mask out areas that needed to be blocked, and make sure everything was in perfect registration. It was utterly tedious, but essential.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Sitting in front of my Batchelder fireplace!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Any time but summer. I love Christmas!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My son’s pizza.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
When I was teaching, my students always inspired me to be better. I wanted them to be the best, which meant I had to be the best for them.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly ground coffee. Cookies baking. Bath and Bodyworks “Leaves” candle.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
When I think of home, this phrase by Craftsman enthusiast William Morris comes to mind: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Translation: Keep the toilet – it’s ugly but useful. Get rid of that hideous vase your great Aunt Ethel gave you for a wedding gift.
