Jami has always drawn and painted and remembers preferring art supplies to any toy when growing up. She grew up in an artistic household in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and always felt that art wasn’t just something you enjoyed, it was a way of life. Even though she taught for several years and loved it, Jami would come home and paint or draw every night. When her son was diagnosed with Autism at 2 years old Jami realized that the diagnosis was a blessing in disguise, because it forced her to jump into the unknown and develop her painting. Every night when she put her children to bed, Jami would work on paintings, creating a large body of work to exhibit at galleries. She says that the art is something she simply needs to do. It’s both healing and exciting. She continues to be prolific, saying, “energy begets more energy, and the more I paint the more that I want to paint”. Jami is inspired by the natural landscapes of the places she travels and brings a sketch book and camera everywhere she goes. Her other interests include reading, music, and spending time with her family and friends. Jami is one of the feature writers at Valley Living Magazine and especially loves doing the reviews; books, music, and restaurants. Jami Tobey (Kiendra) is a Graduate of Western State College of Colorado with degrees in Fine Art and English. Her specialties are Landscapes and Florals and Acrylics and Watercolor, in sizes ranging from 4 in. x 6 in. to 6 ft. x 8 ft. She exhibits nationally in several galleries and has been the featured artist in numerous one woman shows.