Dorothy grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, exploring and learning in their forests and along their rivers. That fostered a deep connection to, and respect for, the natural world which has remained steady. Her final two years of High School were spent at an arts-focused boarding school outside of Boston, delving into her love of writing, painting, sculpting, acting, and dancing. After graduating, and a month in Berkeley, CA, she returned to Boston to study photography, metalsmithing, and building/landscape architecture.

A second journey to the West occurred in 1995. The beautiful city of San Francisco became home while studying horticulture, growing things and friendships, working in restaurants, and wandering amongst its hills and valleys. Jeph wandered into one of those restaurants and they eventually made the trip to the middle of the country, settling in Kalamazoo, MI (!) for six years. It turned out to be a great place to grow, together and individually, create a harmonious living space, develop a strong community, advance professionally, and strengthen their foundation.

While working full time, doing IT project coordination and management, Dorothy obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Practical Writing/Business Communications, an education which continues to be applicable. In 2005 it was time to shake things up by heading West again, this time across the bay to Oakland. While it was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, the big lesson was that it doesn’t matter how much you earn if you dislike what you do. So the journey continued…back to Michigan for a brief sabbatical, then to Florida for six months of warmth, sunshine, beach time, and new plants and creatures to enjoy.

A job for Jeph brought them to Boston where they purchased their first home, a mid-century modern fixer. Serving as general contractor (drawing on all those project management skills) she and Jeph gave the home new life, learning the business of renovation in the process. Creating that dwelling space on an acre full of life (trees, plants, flowers, moss, rocks, birds, critters) dually nourished and challenged them to the core and fostered much soul searching.   A fondness for milder climes, where things grow year round, and home centered in a thriving urban neighborhood led back West, to Oakland/Piedmont, at this moment.

Dorothy’s energy is currently channeled into: producing audio/video pieces; writing (sharing people’s stories, philosophical ponderings, and novel/screenplay/children’s book development); designing (multiple mediums); and managing projects which are creative and collaborative.  So, the ruby slippers continue along the winding path, keeping in mind that home is created from within, and the journey is the destination.