Born in Carmel, California in 1955, Missy was raised there by her grandparents. Her paternal grandmother, Marjorie Allen, a noteworthy local painter, influenced Missy’s art from an early age. Otherwise, she has had no formal training beyond a high school art class with a teacher who said “Paint what you see, not what you think you see.” She feels that her talent is a blessing from God.

As Missy grew up riding horses, they became a frequent subject of her early graphite drawings, which she started out doing as gifts for friends. She began showing her work at the Who’s Who in Art and New Masters galleries in Carmel, where Burt Reynolds and Hank Ketcham were among her collectors. She began painting in watercolor as well, and was fortunate to have received help with this medium from her friend and mentor, Donald Teague.

In 1996 Missy became interested in a new field, oil. She loves how she can use oil paint to realistically depict natural light. Light changes everything about a painting and its color, value, and contrast. Light hitting what would otherwise be darkness, almost like spiritual rebirth, is something Missy aims to capture in each piece she creates.

Missy’s art has been featured on various posters and publications including:

• The Monterey National Horse Show
• California Rodeo Salinas
• Reno Rodeo
• Snake River Stampede
• The San Francisco Grand National
• The National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas
• The Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival.
• Avon Mother’s Day Plates

Previously her work has been featured in Carmel galleries including Who’s Who in Art, New Masters, Jones & Terwilliger, and Gibson galleries; however, now Missy works exclusively through private commissions and sales.