I started painting when I was 6 years old. I had a talented Grandmother from Scotland and a mother here in Vancouver who attended the Vancouver School of Art. They read books to me by master artists which captured my heart. Studied at the VSA graduating in Life Sculpture with an Honours Award in Color Theory. I won a scholarship in Life Drawing at the Laguna Beach School of Art & Design. Thus anatomy was in my blood as I am skilled at seeing the human figure. I am at heart a pure pastel artist painting from life. Supporting two boys I was the Administrator & Director of a small district Gallery in West Vancouver. In 2000 I felt skilled enough to enter major juried competitions around the world. I gained recognition from my peers in the art of Pastel Painting. I won awards Masters Honours Award from the Drawing Society of Canada, Premier Artist of Canuck Place Children's Hospice, Pastel Canada, International Association of Pastel Societies USA, Degas Pastel Society USA, 100 Pastel, Pastel Society of America, Art du Pastel Giverney, France - there is a long list of Awards on my website. www.pagesamis.com Queen Elizabeth 11 has one of my paintings at Buckingham Palace. Currently I am working in Oil and Acrylic. I do not have Gallery representation and wonder if this is a right fit for me being in this event.