Artist Statement
After careers that emphasized the written/spoken word, it’s a joy to express myself to others in the form of visual images. In the process of creating each piece, I invite viewers to place themselves in the painting and discover or renew their child-like sense of delight and wonder.
My paintings explore our spiritual connection to nature and the universe: the flow of life that is as ancient, sacred and eternal as our oceans, earth and sky. They celebrate my sense of the extraordinary beauty found in ordinary things, and my gratitude for that discovery. Inspiration is all around us: in stunning skies, lush landscapes, sunlit oceans and solitary shorebirds.
To be an artist is to entice you to share in this visual feast with me!
Artist Biography
My interest in the visual arts, especially vibrant colors, began at an early age. Spending part of my childhood in Hawaii gave me a deep appreciation for the rich variety of gorgeous plants and animals that share the earth with us. As a kid, however, I was told that I had no artistic talent, so art became a spectator sport for me – a mysterious gift given to others that I could only admire from afar.
A few decades later, I set aside my fears and learned to speak the beautiful, inspiring language of the paintbrush. After discovering acrylic painting, I was hooked! In 2015, I juried into the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, and became a studio artist. I spent 2 years at The Workhouse. Since May 2019, I have served as an Artist in Residence at the prestigious Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Va. My art has been featured at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, George Mason University; The Fredericksburg, Va. Council for the Creative Arts; the Dunn Loring Wine & Art Fest, Vienna, Va.; Manassas, Va. City Hall Exhibition; Taste of Kingstowne in Alexandria, Va. and The Holiday Market in Occoquan, Va.
In May 2017, two of my mixed media pieces, Pueblo Palette and Southwest Soul I were exhibited in a national, juried show called Patterns and Textures. The show was sponsored by the Fredericksburg Council for the Creative Arts, an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
In April 2016, my cherry blossom-themed piece, Fleeting Beauty, took first place in the People's Choice Awards competition held by the Arches Gallery Artists at Workhouse Arts Center.
In August 2016, I was the Featured Artist at the Clifton Wine Shop & Tasting Room, in Clifton, Va. My show featured representational and abstract works of art, using acrylic, encaustic and mixed media.