About Me
I grew up in Oil City, MI, going to Bullock Creek High School, where I had art classes taught by Mr. Mathern and Mr. Myers, both very talented artists, and teachers with endless patients. I earned a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies from Central Michigan University. While living downstate, I completed a wildlife mural at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, Saginaw, with accompanying curricula and activities. During this time, I also participated in a variety of art shows and in art classes at the Midland Center for the Arts, where I had the opportunity to study under Armin Mersmann.
While studying at CMU, I had the pleasure of taking classes form Dietmar Krumrey II and Michael Volker. By far the artist that influenced me the most during my studies has been my mom, Barb Rogers. Her influence and teaching in pen and ink and wildlife art lead me to opportunities such as being commissioned to illustrate the raptor identification kiosk at the Porcupine Mountains State Park at the Lake of the Clouds overlook which is still on display over ten years later.
I moved to the Keweenaw in the summer of 2010 to pursue a Master of Forestry at Michigan Technological University. I returned to Michigan Tech to peruse a PhD in Forest Science in 2015. I am currently a PhD candidate, working on wood decay and soils analysis under Dr. Martin Jurgensen.
In the past year, I have painted a barn mural for a YouTube music video, done several scientific illustrations for journal articles, and started submitting artwork into juried shows again due to the encouragement and support of my husband, James Walitalo. Custom artwork in pen and ink or wood burning is available by request.