Stephanie grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula. Always a nature lover, I was fortunate to grow up in an area with open space. I spent a lot of time exploring the trees, rock formations and landscapes near my home. After working in the medical lab, and pharmaceutical businesses for many years, I decided I needed a career change, and to explore my creative nature. While still working, I went back to school taking various courses in Art and Design at the UC Extension in San Francisco. I took some courses in Landscape Architecture and Garden Design, and I realized plants and landscapes are a passion, and I needed to follow that. In 2008, I completed the Environmental Horticulture and Design program at Foothill College. In 2008, I went to work for Blue Sky Farms, a native plant nursery in Half Moon Bay, where I learned more about drought tolerant and California native plants. My own landscape at home is starting to resemble the native coastal scrub that surrounds El Granada, where I live. Sprinkled around that are fruit trees, and plants from New Zealand, Australia and the Mediterranean areas of the world. These plants are tough, and like the same climate as our San Francisco Bay Area, dry summers and wet winters. In 2010 our Masters watercolor class in Botanical Illustration through Strybing Aboretum participated in the Chomp II exhibit at The Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco. The artists completed watercolors and pen and Ink paintings of carnivorous plants. We co exhibited with a garden of very unique and interesting carnivorous plants. All proceeds from sales went to the Conservatory. I'm happy to be at Common Ground, exploring a new phase of horticulture, working with a nice group of people, excellent volunteers, and very interesting, knowledgeable customers.