ARTIST PROFILE

I believe that the beauty and vibrancy of paintings serve as a joyful presence amidst the realities of this world.

I deeply believe that creativity is my true path to wellbeing.

For me, art is the smell of turpentine, the laughter of children messy with tempera, the way music envelopes your senses. It is forefront in my memories — a constant presence of unconditional love, happiness, beauty, and joy. Art has always been there, always been a part of my soul.

It is perhaps paint, rather than blood that flows through my veins.

Born into a multi-generational family of artists, my artistic journey has been nurtured since childhood. My family encouraged and supported me as I explored new mediums — from early drawings and carvings, to music and fiber art and costume design.

In 1994 I found what I thought was my deep passion — sculpture. I cherished the days of molding the warm brown clay into figures, working to capture the special loving moments portrayed by each piece.

Eight years later, after overcoming cancer, I realized, to my surprise, that I no longer wanted to work in dark clays and waxes anymore. I craved color. And thus, painting became my medium and true love.

Painting — My True Love

Painting is my passion and my purpose.

My commitment to creating beauty is profound. Even when – especially when – the world,  and my body, feel broken.

With each challenge I’ve encountered, my dedication to seeking, celebrating, and sharing blissful joy in my artwork has expanded. My desire for color has become more affirmed, more pressing. And my love for the vibrant has become illuminated.

I studied with Stephen Quiller and learned how to meld colors for the richest, most alive palette. Flora Bowley showed me the beauty of working intuitively in layers. That knowledge added to the many classes and workshops I had taken at The Loveland Academy of Fine Arts including not only painting and sculpture, but also anatomy and the art of storytelling through gesture. My sculpture and textile background instilled a love of texture and blending. My paintings evolved as I began to find my own unique creative voice.

Through lupus, cancer, multiple surgeries, and other dark times in my life, my colors emerged even brighter.

In late 2014 I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis in my dominant wrist. My only option was to fuse it, naturally or through surgery. Rather than deterring me, the diagnosis prompted me to think creatively about how to continue making art in new ways while I allowed my wrist to heal.

No longer focused on my familiar fine art brushes, I used everything around me — my fingers, palette knives, foam brushes, coffee stoppers, even old pill bottles (finally found a way to recycle those!). My paintings took on a fresh life that they hadn’t expressed before. I had discovered how to adapt my methods and create in a way that didn’t cause me pain. My palette in turn reflected the richness of this new playful process.

The result was a delightful sense of joyful abandonment. I’ve been painting this way ever since.