I fell in love with the painted page at age 8 when my parents bought a new Ford. As a result of that purchase, issues of The Ford Times were sent to our home for years after. It was a small publication whose purpose was to invite car owners to explore the country and the issues were full of places to visit, restaurants to patronize and all were illustrated with watercolors painted by the best watercolorists in the country. I was especially taken by the work of Rex Brandt whose studio was in Newport Beach CA.
After squeezing in two art classes into my college prep schedule in high school, I attended the University of Redlands majoring in art with a minor in education. After teaching at the junior high level, I continued painting after my 3 children were born. The ability to attend workshops given by some of the painters in the famed California School honed my watercolor skills. I was able to study with Rex Brandt whose work was in the Ford Times, met Phil Dike who went to high school in Redlands with my Mother and was privileged to attend to final two workshops taught by Millard Sheets. Further study was with Robert E. Wood as well as travel workshops with Gerald Brommer who became my friend and mentor.
In 1998 I founded Schroeder Studio Gallery in Old Towne Orange which specialized in watermedia and art glass. I taught watercolor workshops as did the gallery painters and notable artists from outside the area. In 2015, the gallery portion was closed and a new studio and workshop were located in North Orange in The Brickyard. The goal was to have ample time to paint both in studio and on location. Workshops continue to be offered as well as occasional painting exhibits and open houses.
