I took art (specifically painting) seriously in high school and college, completing a studio arts minor and the MN Women’s Art Institute in 2003. However, becoming an educator and raising children led me to largely set aside art for the better part of 15 years. After my second son was born, I came across the idea of “daily painting” through the work of artist Carol Marine and was hooked on the idea. I began the practice of completing one small alla prima (completed in one sitting) painting each night after putting my boys to bed. This consistent art practice has changed my mindset on what it means to be an artist. Painting small and often has been much more impactful on my growth as an artist than the large, irregular work I attempted before becoming a parent. In 2018, I began selling my work and participating in juried group exhibitions.
Statement
Painting brings me joy, and is essential to who I am. I feel energized by the challenge of depicting my world in paint, as well as the call to convey a sense of place. Over the past two years I’ve become deeply committed to improving as an artist. What started as a daily practice in skill development led to a love of creating small, impressionistic landscapes and still lifes. I work primarily in acrylic on hardboard panels, using thick brushstrokes and vibrant colors. Most of my still life paintings are done on the kitchen counter late at night, in my St Paul, Minnesota home. My landscapes are almost exclusively done outdoors. Painting en plein air is a form of meditation for me, and I love nothing more than immersing myself in the environment.