I have always loved creating since I was young, and for some reason, almost always in 3D. It all started from making crafts out of toilet paper rolls taped together to crocheting stuffed animals and finger puppets. One time, my big sister and I made a paper-mache monkey that grew hairy mold before it could dry. We thought it was cool, but our mom wouldn't let us keep it for obvious reasons.

My first leather mask came from a challenge made by a friend who threw a small piece of black leather at me from a box of things she was sorting out. I had seen leather faces before, most of them from Mexico that were steam pressed and lacquered. I had been given a similar one as a gift once. I ended up hand-stretching that piece of leather into a face and using what was handy to adorn it. A relative on my husband's side, who collects art, saw it and offered me $100 for it. SOLD! And I have been making them ever since.

About 30 years ago, when I told my husband, then boyfriend, that one day I would have my art hanging in a gallery somewhere, he would brush it off with a smirk. Back then, I found metal objects left behind on old logging roads and landings that had been run over by machinery, trucks, shot full of holes by hunters target practicing, or rusted into unique and unusual shapes. I would drag them home and paint them a copper color. I guess it was my modern art period. I still have a squished galvanized bucket in that color hanging on a wall somewhere at home. It has been admired by many, but only since I have been established as an artist. It's funny how some works of art are considered junk until someone claims different, and someone else is willing to pay for it.

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Music

I love music and how it can evoke different emotions in me. I particularly enjoy Rock and Roll, R&B, and Blues, but I'm not a fan of country music. I used to play in a band known as "Foul Play" in the early 80s, but as my responsibilities grew, I had to put it on hold. However, as my family matured, I found more opportunities to play music with friends who shared the same passion.

In the early 2000's, I played in a band with a group of women for around four years. We decided to play the songs that we wanted to play, even if the boys in the group didn't want to. We started playing for house parties, birthdays, and other events and soon became in high demand. When we played in bars, some people heckled us as we set up, but once we played, they were blown away by our talent. We eventually decided on the name "TRIPLE D" since all our names started with the letter "D".

Lately, I've been writing songs with a provocative edge to them. I call it my "Old Lady Act" for now, and the songs are definitely not for the faint of heart. I'm almost ready to share my risque tunes with the world and go viral. Keep an eye out for me at your local pub or service club, and come prepared to laugh! Tips are always appreciated!

Nowadays, I'm retired from my day job and have more time to pursue my passions. I'm excited to re-enter the music scene and start playing more gigs again. It's never too late to follow your dreams and do what you love.

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In the Movies:

As an extra in "The Stick Up," I appeared in three scenes. Firstly, as a customer at the Bank of Vedalia, I can be spotted at the wicket in the security tapes just before the robbery. Then, as a passerby, I walked behind James Spader's character at the bank machine in the re-enactment scenes. Lastly, on the street, I was a window shopper as the armored car was unloading cash for bank delivery. Eventually, I was recruited as the leading lady's stand-in (Leslie Stefanson). My job was to physically perform the actor's role for the director of photography, sound, and lighting crews, so the actress didn't have to stand around for that part. I got to work alongside big stars both on and off-set, and even shared my homemade elderberry wine with James. You can find my name in the credits between the stunt people and special effects.

The Legend of Eileen Chang is a made-for-TV saga that was partially filmed in the Hope area. I was cast to play a Bohemian Dukeboar in a few scenes, along with my real husband who was cast to play my on-screen husband. I showed up on set without makeup and with my hair in a long braid that hung past my bum. The director commented on the great job the makeup and wardrobe people had done to make my look so authentic, not knowing that it was how I looked every morning. It wasn't too glamorous, but it fit the part well.

During the shoot, my husband had the opportunity to pull the leading lady, Renee Lu, around for a toboggan race scene, while I and the other Dukeaboars threw snow in the air and cheered on the race. At the end of the scene, my husband had to sweep Renee into his arms and help her out of the toboggan. Later, we found out that Renee was like Madonna in China, with several gold albums and many top films to her credit. I'm sure there were many young Chinese men who were envious of my husband that day.

Unfortunately, this movie was only released for audiences in China, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, so we have never seen the finished product.

Kripto is the name of a sci-fi thriller filmed in both Manning Park and Sunshine Valley near Hope, BC, Canada in 2022. I played a member of the Women's hiking club, a woman named Megan with a walking stick and a limp. It was a small part, but it was fun and a nice way to dabble again with the film industry.