From the moment it appeared in cave drawings 20,000 years ago, the paint has captivated the human imagination. Paint Spririt captures the fascination of the breed that embodies the spirit of the American West.
I was born in New York City, where I lived until the age of two. When I was still a toddler, my family heeded the westward call and moved to Los Angeles, where I spent my youth. I fell in love with animals and science at a young age, and played "mom" to a variety of pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, mice, hamsters, birds, snakes, guppies and a horse.
After graduating El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, Calif., I worked at various jobs including key shop manager, and cashier at Sears. At the age of 21, I returned to New York City and became a student at New York University in Manhattan. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and a minor in Astronomy.
While living in New York, I worked for several years as an editor for a home fashion trade magazine, then moved on to become an editor for the American Kennel Club Gazette. After five years with the AKC, I accepted a position as managing editor on Dog Fancy magazine in Irvine, Calif., and moved back to the Golden State. Shortly after, I became editor of Horse Illustrated magazine. I left the position in 1995 to pursue a full-time career in freelance writing and editing.
I live in Norco, Calif., with my husband, Randy Mastronicola. We share our home with an Appaloosa gelding named Idaho Hawk (Bailey); a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Nigel; four cats named Murray, Holly, Cheddar and Stanley; and two rabbits, Prudence and Karma.
Nigel (Ninacorte Nigel Tuff S Nails, NA, NJ) and I compete in American Kennel Club agility events, and are currently working on our Open title. I am also preparing Bailey for a career in competitive trail riding.
