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Auntie Therese or "Auntie Tees"

I'm the proud Auntie of 16 amazing nieces and nephews! I, along with my wonderful husband Jeff, live in Napa, CA. When I am not weaving baskets, I teach, do consulting work, practice Reiki, and volunteer.

I teach regularly at the Multnomah Arts Center, for basketry guilds around the country and am available for other venues (see the classes & exhibits page for more information). The consulting I do is in financial and grants management. Many people believe this to be at odds with an artist, but I heartily disagree! Art is whimsical, emotional and spontaneous, but it is also full of pattern, structure and discipline. The two seemingly opposites compliment each other and keep each in balance.

In 2005, I received my Reiki Master training from a wonderful woman named Colleen Benelli. Reiki (translated as "universal life force energy") is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that improves health and enhances the quality of life. "A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through you and surrounds you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit and creates many beneficial effects including relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well-being. Many have reported miraculous results. Reiki is a simple, natural, and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use." (www.reiki.org)

Reiki is now a huge part of my life as well as my art. My hope is to spread joy and healing energy to all those I come in contact with; be it simply through the vibration of my voice, working directly with a client, or through my art, which I fill with healing energy as I weave.

I think I will always volunteer in some form or another. Volunteering is so rewarding. You meet wonderful people, learn amazing things and have fun and exciting adventures! I am currently focusing my free time doing volunteer work for the Columbia Basin Basketry Guild, for whom I was president in 2005. In addition to my work with the basketry guild, in 2004 I was also on the steering committee for a non-profit group called Cracked Pots (garden art from recycled materials). In 2002, I received the Red Fox Award for outstanding educator (for my work as a volunteer naturalist) from Metro's Regional Parks and Greenspaces Department.