She's written a script for "The Simpsons," is working on no fewer than three novels and three screenplays, has written books on herbal medicine, organizes and performs at poetry slams, paints and is a mother. Whew. And that's only the tip of the iceberg for Jeanne Spicuzza, just the latest notable in a long line of trailblazing Milwaukee Spicuzzas.

Although Spicuzza has lived in Los Angeles for four years, she's back in Milwaukee often and there's no disconnecting her from one of the city's most intriguing families, the most famous member of which was acclaimed post-Impressionist painter Francesco Spicuzza, her great-uncle.

Francesco's daughter Sylvia, also a painter, was a respected art educator for decades. Francesco's niece was the first woman to become president of a Milwaukee bank. Jeanne's father was the first to win five letters in a college sport. Jeanne's aunt Mary was among the first women to attend Downer College. Need we continue?

This is a tough act to follow. But Spicuzza doesn't feel the pressure, only the inspiration.

"When I was two years old, I would to look up at Francesco's paintings and think, 'I do that,'" Spicuzza says. "Even though I was too young to verbalize it, I knew I was an artist. I remember my cousin Sylvia would come to family reunions with this incredible auburn hair, wearing fuscia and burnt umber and teal! I was totally intrigued by this colorful, elegant lady. The strength of the women in my family really inspires me.

"I have great respect for my family because they are deeply ethical, spiritual and determined. Each have the courage to be an individual while supporting others in their community. Their goodness inspires me. Because of them, their support, I strive to be a better person and a better artist every day."

Spicuzza herself should serve as inspiration to a new generation of women. Fearless and focused, dynamic and driven, she appears to know exactly what she wants to do and she's got the energy to do it. Even when she became a young, single mother, she embraced her child and forged ahead with her career.

"I was 16 (when) I became pregnant with Stephanie," she says. "I thought my career in the arts was over, because it seemed frighteningly impractical. The arts won over, though. It always does."

Spicuzza took her work to the Milwaukee public in 1994, exhibiting her visual art, publishing and performing her poetry. She also penned a screenplay about German composer, visionary artist, writer, herbalist and abbess Hildegard von Bingen. As a vehicle for her work, she started Seasons & a Muse, which specializes, she says, "in theater and live performance tours, fine arts, Web design, holistic medicine, education and retreats, publishing and, of course, CD and film production."

But she was working days as a temp secretary in Milwaukee and it just wasn't cutting it. Spicuzza felt unfulfilled. That's when her daughter, then just 10, spoke up.

"(She) yelled at me, telling me to be myself and not get 'a real job' and go," Spicuzza remembers. "I packed up three suitcases, two boxes and my screenplay and moved to L.A. in January of 1999."

There, Spicuzza has met people with the wherewithal to turn Spicuzza's ideas into reality.

"Business is going on every day," Spicuzza says. "I like to 'talk shop' with other artists and filmmakers. About 10,000 people move out here every year and I'd guess that about 9,900 leave unsatisfied. It's great to know that something, anything, can happen at any time, any day. I am very happy to be in touch with directors and writers and actors whom I've been inspired by for years, people like David Lynch, Sally Potter, Milos Forman, John Neff, Julie Dash and others. It's very encouraging. "

Ask Spicuzza what she's up to and you'd better make yourself comfortable.

"I am in process of organizing a U.S. and European tour of six women spoken word artists, like Def Poetry Jam meets Lilith Faire, called 'SLUTS.' It's based on a Slam poem I wrote, 'Men Succeed Where Women Are Sluts.' We're working on grants, bookings and sponsors now.

"I'm also in pre-production for a feature film called 'Making Angels,' about five women artists living in the Algonquin Hotel. They support each other through this really intense, transformative period of their lives when they're all coming to a profound level of self-realization. Seasons & a Muse just attached a brilliant director, recently nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award, and we're going after some incredible name cast.

"I'm still writing poems. I just finished a piece about the sublime French sculptor Camille Claudel. A book of herbal medicine and illustrated story of Hildegard were completed last year. I've got three more screenplays and three novels in process. I wrote spec script for "The Simpsons," a short film script and a full-length play, too."

"I get to Milwaukee once or twice every year," she says. "My father makes sure his children are around for the important stuff like Christmas and reunions. I also travel to Milwaukee and Chicago for shows. Friends are very supportive, too. I get letters from wonderful people who appreciate my poetry and stuff."

What's on the horizon for Spicuzza? You guessed it; more hard work.

"I'm touring again in Europe this summer, after our next family reunion. I'll probably be working. Hopefully, we won't be at war. I hope I can do some good in the world while I'm here."