Denise was born into a family of artists in the suburbs of Chicago.  She studied interior design and painting at the University of Illinois.  She has continued her artistic training through classes and workshops at various schools, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Instituto Allende, San Miguel de Allende,  the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, and the Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria.

    In 2003 Denise moved to a city of great artistic inspiration, New Orleans.  There she was struck by the beauty and majesty of the live oaks.  She worked on a series of these, focusing on the dance of shadow and light beneath them, which she found just as fascinating as the trees themselves.

    Immediately after Katrina, Denise relocated to Austin, Texas.  Although she was extremely fortunate to not lose her belongings, she felt Austin would be a better environment in which to live.  She is greatly enjoying her life there and has found new sources of inspiration.  Currently she is working on a series of paintings based on the Austin Greenbelt.  Also a great lover of music she has started a series of portaits of the many talented Texas muscians.  And on a more whimsical side, she has been doing pet portraits.  Denise is available for custom work and murals.