Although born and raised in France of Armenian parents, I came to the US long ago and have lived in California ever since. I loved painting from a very young age but got discouraged by an unkind comment from someone I looked upon as an authority figure when I was 14. I then became an English language and literature teacher in France, then a French language and literature teacher in the U.S. I quit to raise two daughters and upon my return to the work force was forced to start a bottom level in business. Having made my way back up since then, I have now...more