She attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, studying under Arthur DeCosta, Robert Beverly Hale and Will Barnet.

Bass completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University with a BA in Fine Art in 1984, then went on to receive an MA in Instructional Systems Design from IU in 1987.

In New Mexico, she discovered the techniques of Jacques Maroger through a friendship with Siegfried Hahn, whose influence provided connections with European artistic thinking and practice.

Hahn's education as an artist included exposure to classical training at the Royal Academy in London.

[2] Bass' work is based on reflections of classical tradition within a contemporary framework.