My portrait was painted by Monica Brown (www.mbrownart.com). I prefer writing in an uncomplicated manner, basic and easily understood, whether professional materials, short stories, or poetry. My museum career and teaching kept me busy and almost fulfilled, but writing is my passion. After settling in Tahlequah, capitol of the Cherokee Nation, I co-edited a Cherokee anthology and started Tahlequah Writers. We produced a writer's festival Voices From Ink with Lauren Zuniga as our guest poet. There's a lot of talent in these Ozark foothills!