This section is just for fun, because I had a few who were curious. Beginning at age 14 (maybe even earlier) I did local fashion runway modeling and some print modeling, trying to emulate other 1980's supermodels and musicians of the time (Linda Evangelist, Kathy Ireland, Cindy Crawford, etc.).

 

The black and whites were done by my photographer friend, Matt Schneider, who went on to become a professional photographer in Oregon of landscapes and the human form blending together in art. I was proud to be part of his initial portfolio. I've always loved the B&W series and the cool blue undertones some of the photos have. I colourized one so you could see what I looked like at the time - with dark dyed auburn hair (much darker than my natural colour). When the movie Titanic came out, my mom always said I reminded her of Rose (Kate Winslet), which came out several years after these photos of me were taken. The first B&W photo gives me 1920s vibes. These were during my "art school" days, so it was a lot of 90s alt music and dancing.

 

Prior to those, the runway ones were done in Japan for a small fashion show. The fur is faux. I was a size 14 plus size in these photos, height 6' weight 163 lbs for so many years. I ran, swam, and played basketball to keep in shape... and dancing... I've always been a dancer. Fun memories. It was also the late '80s, so naturally it was all mascara and hairspray.

Being a "Plus" size model back then was perhaps different than what it is now. However, at the time, they didn't make clothing for large women built like Viking warriors. They made small and petite clothes, as that's how most women were where I lived. I was definitely a 6' tall exception living in Japan! They had to "special order" and create my plus size 14 clothing (and sometimes a size 16 then as well - depending on the fit). Same for my basketball uniform - special ordered. Spare a little extra fabric to accommodate my Scandinavian genetics. I was so convinced I was fat back then. It was in every magazine, every movie, how small women must be. Can't be taller than the leading male of a movie or play - that would make them look bad. Oh yes, it was true. How silly those times were. The late 90s had eating disorders a plenty and I wasn't going to get on board with any of that. So I did a different career move, with arts, writing, and acting. 

Flash forward 30 years, we're finally in 2026! I'm happy to see the strides the modeling industry has taken on becoming more inclusive for plus sized women (and all persons). I look back on these photos and I think I'm pretty normal looking when it comes to body shapes, but what do I know? 

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So I wrote a book about it, to help others who were born "too tall" or "tall girl" or "how's the weather up there?" etc. Because all girls/women deserve the chance to feel beautiful, regardless of how their body is shaped or how tall they are.