I was born in Jamestown, New York and I am currently living in Southern California with my husband Doug and our dog and two cats.

In 1992, I started portrait drawings after having the misfortune of working in a bank that was held up twice in forty-five days. The second robbery was a violent takeover. My adventure in drawing was my way to keep in touch with those things in this world that make life worthwhile, those things that illustrate the glory of God. I began my pursuit of writing shortly after my father, Donald V. Gustafson, died.

Here I found a way to express my emotions through various characters in stories. Grieving is a process, which is different for each individual who must labor through it. Whether I was faced with the grief of the
loss of my security in the workplace, facing the terror of the possibility of the loss of my own life, or the actual loss of a loved one, I have chosen to take what I consider the most positive and constructive course toward my own healing, this being through painting and writing.

I hope you enjoy the end product of my journey.