Roni LaBree

September 20, 1945 - October 15, 2006

I've been Interested in art all my life and started my first decorative painting class in 1972 using oils, when a good friend encouraged me to take a class with her. At that time, I lived in Longview, WA and our class was in Portland, OR. We went every week together and I was hooked. I came home every week with new things I had painted and my friends kept asking me to teach them what I had learned. I said: "I can't teach" but they kept at me till I gave in and that was the beginning of my teaching career. That was over 30 years ago. Oh! How that only seemed like yesterday. I was married and had 2 small children - Mike and Michelle and taught weekly classes in a local paint shop. My children loved painting and drawing and still to this day they are also very talented artists. I owned a painting shop in the Longview area for awhile, but ended up moving back to my home town of Bellingham, WA in 1989 and eventually, I opened another shop in 1996 and started painting with acrylic. As economy fell, I had to close my shop. I currently live in beautiful Birch Bay which is a little north of Bellingham and close to the Canadian Border. From 2000 to 2003, I've had three volumes of painting books published called "Enjoy the Seasons" with Sue Schewee Publications. My fourth book published by Eas'l has currently been released as of August 2005. I teach weekly classes locally and travel-teach at conventions, chapters, and shops throughout the US and Canada.

I am a proud Grandma of two beautiful grandkids - Bryce, 5yrs old, and Carli, 4 years old whom are the joys of my life and one of God's many blessings. I enjoy having them come and visit often at Grandma's Beach Place. What fun we have! They live close to me with my daughter, Michelle and son-in-law, Chad. My son, Michael, also lives in the near area which is another blessing.

I've been so very blessed that God has given me the talent of my Art, and that I can share it with all of you through my designs, books, packets, CD's and teaching.

Meeting all the wonderful students and friends has been still another blessing and such a treasured experience.

I wish you many years of Happy Painting!

Thank you and God Bless,

Roni