Raised in the backcountry of northern Michigan and being the daughter of a minister has given this artist a unique quality of simplicity, spirituality and family values. Deneille has had no formal training of any kind and attributes her talent as a gift from God. Not only is she a self-taught primitive artist, but a wife and a mother of five children.

Deneille started painting at 16 when she bought a used oil set at a rummage sale for a dollar. Her first paintings were portraits of Christ done with toothpicks and her fingertips because art brushes were too expensive.

Deneille is known for her attention to detail. All of her paintings are unique and have a story behind them, which typically accompanies each work she creates. The themes of her images are enduring and reflect the basic and foundational values of American life. She has had the good fortune of creating an immense following of collectors from all areas of the United States and also many abroad.