Kathie Lewton 
1270 Minto Ave.
LaSalle, ONT N9J 3H8
Phone: (519) 978-0963
E-Mail  kathie124@hptmail.com

I was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, in a loving and supportive ethnicfamily. I have always been interested in art, but made a long detour into social work, having worked for 28 years as a Children's Aid worker. I retired at age 50, two years ago, and can now pursue my "hobby" that kept mesane, on a full time basis.

I first fell in love with Decorative Art when I took a class at a local community centre ... I was hooked! Several years later I found a small studio with an excellent teacher and continued to learn. I crammed my house full of unpainted surfaces and books and patterns galore. When we moved to our present home I was able to finish a nice big room for my at home studio, with lots of closet space and cupboards that I thought I would never fill up. Wrong! Yep, they are full!

I was first introduced to Mary's technique about four years ago and thought it was amazing, and I could not believe how super the results were on my beginning piece. My interest in pen and ink continued to grow and when I saw Mary's information on certification being held in Ontario, I knew I had to go. I completed the course in October 2001 ... what a challenge and what an amazing teacher Mary is. It was lots of information, lots of work and homework, and I enjoyed every minute !!! I then had the privilege of helping Mary teach at the Valley Tole Mini Retreat in Midland, Michigan, in Jan. 2002. It was great ... I learned so much again and the best part was that I got my certification. I am very proud to be able to be one of Mary's CMOTs! I am looking forward to teaching this awesome art form to many interested students, both in my home studio and as a travel teacher. I am hoping to meet the needs of more isolated students, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to pen and ink! So if you are interested in having me come to your area, e-mail me or phone to request my travel teaching brochure. If you are within driving distance of the Windsor/Detroit area and would like to come to a studio class, e-mail/phone for class details. If you would like to see some of the pen and ink work that I have done, please visit, www.picturetrail.com ... my albums are under kathie2.

I cannot end this bio without thanking my very supportive husband Stan, who has always encouraged me to pursue my dream of a home studio and has put up with years of me dragging home every conceivable "potential painting surface" from countless yard sales and flea markets, and for believing that I could turn them into a work of art!!!