Reetsie was born in California but raised in Oregon. She comes from a multi cultural background anchored by family in Hawaii. Through early and frequent exposure to the beauty of the great northwest, she became an enthusiastic outdoor woman with a latent talent in photography and various forms of art. She is also an accomplished equine owner and trainer, having won both Canadian and United States championships in the Paint and Pinto horse world. She has blended her love for horses with her fascination with the outdoors and wildlife which she displays in much of her art work.

Her first professional work in art was as an illustrator for a trade publication. More recently she developed a love for gourd art and has won numerous Best of Show awards in juried exhibitions held in Southern California and Oregon. She is self taught and has taught other artists her wood burning techniques at workshops in California, Washington and Oregon. Her work has been displayed in galleries in Palm Springs and La Quinta, California as well as Portland and McMinnville, Oregon which is her summer home.

Currently she is exploring the many possibilities of carving, drawing and painting gourds as a medium of choice.

Her work is done for the joy it gives her, but she is grateful if others appreciate it as well.