A native Californian, Dewey grew up in the north county of San Diego. After a career in the newspaper industry, she concentrated on her long-time dream of painting. She has studied with many local artists, including Pat Kelly, Jeff Yeomans and Catherine Grawin. She currently shows at the Off Track Gallery in Encinitas and is a member of the San Dieguito Art Guild, Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild and Oil Painters of America.