I've got nothing against streetcar drivers and there're a lot of great ones out there but this time - this guy really pissed me off!  He actually said that, I was shocked, all I could do was blert out a few sarcastic words. I think if that were me today I would have said what's in the thought balloon. (I just noticed the thought balloon should have been placed above my head, oops!)

As long as I can remember I loved to draw people.  Drawing was a form of language for me, a way of communicating that I lacked when it came to the written and spoken language.  I needed help in school but was to shy to ask for it, so, I drew more and more, as I failed more and more grades.

We lived in the Beaches area  four nine years and the Goof  is a Toronto land mark, your typical greasy chinese food restaurant. The letters in the neon sign burnt out decades ago, that's how it got it's name the " GOOF" Recently the place has gone upscale, although the sign still remains the same.

My career started to take off after I got the teaching job and realized my own ability to sculpt - ironically I didn't study sculpting in art college. I was inspired by the 3D caricatures of a British show called Spitting Image, an outrageously funny satire of politicians and Royalty. Three dimensional illustration became popular in the eighties so I took my work around to art directors and managed to get some freelance work. 

I was happy to be doing illustration in my own style, and in a medium that I felt comfortable with. Ken loved to take pictures so he became my official photographer. 

After living in Toronto for thirteen years, the traffic and pollution became increasingly tiresome, but that was part of life in the city. The thought of moving elsewhere did cross our minds, until I landed a teaching job at the Beach Art Centre. I was excited at the prospect of teaching, but a bit terrified at the same time. My nervousness wasn't visible to the students because the lights were out and all eyes were on the image and not me - fortunately!

Having Raymond, our second child, made me a full-time mom, even though my mother-in-law often corrected my grammar as if I were still a child myself. I actually didn't really mind, because in a way she was doing me a favour - it was like having a tutor, and that meant less class-time for me!

I was eager and willing to learn French, but my first class was so upsetting I never returned to it, unfortunately. Defeated by my own frustration, I was down and out - but not for long! I got back up and carried on with English, even though at times it felt as if it was not my first language. I really can empathize with immigrants who have to learn English - it's not a easy language!!!