ABOUT

While growing up in southern Ohio and exploring the woods, creeks, meadows and farms, I discovered my way of being in the world. The natural world seems to define what is exciting, fluid, tense and calming all at the same time. This beautiful mix of senses is what inspires me. My hope is to bring the excitement I feel in living life into my painting.

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Landscaping Design, I traveled and worked across the United States. Northern Michigan became home in the late eighties where I have practiced landscaping architecture for over 25 years.

Painting the outdoor environment and practicing landscape architecture feels to be the perfect blend of abandon and discipline. What I take away from this is: Art is Life.

I have studied with master pastelist William Truman Hosner for several years and continue to study all forms of art wherever travels take me. I have been enthusiastically painting in pastel for several years, working almost exclusively in the plein air style ~ painting from life in the unpredictable outdoors. This method demands a painting be close to complete before the light moves to a new mood.

JURIED SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

2018 Juried acceptance into The National Association of Women Artists, NY, NY  ~ Founded 1889
2014 Degas Pastel Society’s Juried Fifteenth Biennial National Exhibition, New Orleans, LA
2014 Pastel Society of North Carolina’s Annual Juried Pastel Exhibition, Charlotte, NC
2013 Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, MI    Oil Painters of America, Sunset Paint-Out (all-media) Silver Medal Award
2013 Great Lakes Pastel Society Juried National Show, Novi Civic Center, Novi, MI
2012 Great Lakes Pastel Society Juried National Show, Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts, Kalamazoo, MI
2012 “Les Femmes Pastel” (group of 4), Huron Valley Council for the Arts, Highland, MI
2011 10th Anniversary Invitational Exhibition, Three Pines Studio, Cross Village, MI
2011 Great Lakes Showcase Juried Exhibition, Houghton, MI
2011 Winter “Fire and Ice” Invitational Show, Three Pines Studio, Cross Village, MI
2010 Winter Haiku Invitational Exhibition, Three Pines Studio, Cross Village, MI
2009 “Les Femmes Pastel” (group of 4), Downtown Frame-Up, Traverse City, MI
2009 “Les Femmes Pastel” (group of 4), Three Pines Studio, Cross Village, MI

AFFILIATIONS

Great Lakes Pastel Society
Piedmont Pastel Society
Pastel Society of the West Coast
Degas Pastel Society