I have had a love affair creating artistic things since I was a child using pencils, scissors and crayons. However, I did not start my career until after I was married and we were raising our 5 children.  My love affair has only grown throughout the years.  I originally painted in oil media; working part-time while raising my family. 

In 1997, I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer and thought my career was over because I became allergic to oil fumes.  I knew that to stop creating was not an option, so I began to use watercolors and fell in love with their wonderful brilliance and luminosity.

Although I am basically a self-developed artist, I have studied with two wonderful teachers in California and Pennsylvania who have helped me to perfect my style; which is representational. 

Although I did not paint while I was going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, I never lost my desire or need to create.  And now over eleven years after battling both cancer and clinical depression, I have found peace and serenity that is expressed in my painting.                    

I continue to express my vision of beauty through my paintings and I welcome each new day with joy and thanksgiving to my Savior Jesus Christ.                                                           

I am a member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild and Southern Arizona Artists Guild in Tucson, Arizona where I now live with my husband.

My paintings hang in private collections throughout the United States. 

E-Mail:  J_Gourley@msn.com