Cerese Vaden

Raised on a secluded ranch in rural central Idaho Cerese Vaden’s early life was an anachronism. Butter churning, making bread, gathering eggs and feeding bum lambs were among the weekly chores.

Avid reading and family trips across the country allowed her to recognize the microcosm she lived in, but not until post graduate school did she learn to truly appreciate that microcosm.

Jobs in house painting, cake decorating, floral design, greenhouse gardening and advertising supported her educational and artistic pursuits. Her longest lasting job (currently a Professor of Art at the University of Arizona) came shortly after pursuing an MFA in studio art.

She misses the butter churning, and even the bum lambs.