A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Este has been drawing and painting since she can remember; designing and drawing newspaper fashion ads for local department stores when only a teenager in the late 1940’s.

In 1965, Este relocated to South Florida with her husband Bill and their five children. After her children were nearly grown, she returned to perfecting her mastery of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. As a charter member of the Everglades Art Guild, Este often displayed her work in local art shows and galleries, winning may awards for her excellent work. Sales from sidewalk art shows and Shopping Center Festivals popular in the 1960’s and 70’s not only helped the budget but also gave lots of exposure of her fine art work to the general public. During this time, Este also developed into an accomplished portrait painter and is a Charter Member in the American Society of Portrait Artists.

Always eager to learn new techniques and methods of painting, Este called a Miami PBS station to inquire about an artist she had seen on their program. This inquiry led to a personal introduction to Bill Alexander and his “Wet on Wet” technique of oil painting known as the “Magic Method of Oil Painting”. As a result, Este quickly found herself opening her own teaching studio and introducing hundreds of students to this fantastic method of oil painting. Although her aspiration to become an accomplished painter dates back to her childhood, it was at this time her real forte came to light. She discovered she was an excellent teacher! Because so many of her beginning students have gone on to become successful artists and teachers, Este soon became known as the “Teacher of Teachers”.

In 1988, The Alexander Art Company appointed Este to design and conduct their Certified Instructor Program. For several years she conducted seminars from coast to coast and is responsible for hundreds of teachers becoming Alexander Certified Instructors.

After the Alexander Company closed, KOH-l-NOOR - Grumbacher (who were most impressed by her many years of teaching success) recruited Este to help design and implement their instructor certification program. To date she is still very active in this program along with product testing of paints and brushes for use in the “Wet on Wet” oil, acrylic, and decorator painting techniques.