I am a preacher's kid. My father was the pastor of Reed's Chapel COGIC.

I learned a lot growing up in a Pentecostal household. I wouldn't change my upbringing for anything in the world.

I received an Associates of Art Degree from Absanie Community College.

I am a professor at Absanie Community College.

I became interested in art and writing at the age of 7. I began drawing and writing poetry then. One of my teachers noticed my talent when I was 13. When I was 14, I was introduced to Molly Heatherford. Mrs. Heatherford was an art professor at Absanie Community College. Mrs. Heatherford began to nurture my talent for drawing. She also helped me developed my painting skills. I have been painting since I was 16.

In 1961, I met Arthur Pepperton, a famous artist in Maddocha. He helped me and he also gave me an easel that I still have today. In 1962, I had my first art show.  It was small, but it was a success.

I have been writing and keeping a journal since I was 10 years old. I met the assistant vice-president of Absanie Publishing, Jacob Lasloe, through me husband, Thunder Austin, in 1976. That year I began working on a book. My book, The Girl is Bad - Writings of My Life and Times, was published in 1982.