About

Art gives me an excuse to do things, go places, and explore. It motivates me to look closely at nature, human interactions, sights, and sounds of everyday life. The things we take for granted, and frame the way we live.

I work almost exclusively in pastels. I am infatuated with the vibrant colors of pastels. I love exploring color combinations and layering effects which create a richness of color and an inner glow that make a painting sing.

The steps of my painting process allow me to concentrate on one aspect of design at a time. Beginning with multiple reference photos taken with my iPhone or DSLR camera of a scene and my memories of how I felt at that moment. Next I rearrange the elements focusing on shape, contrast, and repetition to strengthen the composition. Then I make small sketches and value studies to create a pleasing composition and to explore new ideas. I use several underpainting techniques to establish the base composition and values of the painting before applying pastels. I work on the composition until I have captured the emotion of the scene adding more details until I feel the work reflects my original vision.

My goal is to share the beauty of everyday life and places I have traveled to thru my passion for color and light. I hope to connect with viewers who share my same admirations.

Juried Group shows/ Exhibitions/Online

2021

• Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL., Frankfort Arts Association, Emerging Perspectives"

2020

• Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL. "Growl, Howl, Moo, Baa, Roar."
• Chicago Pastel Painters, Chicago, IL. " Strokin' VIII! Eighth Biennial Member Juried Exhibition Online.
• Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest IL." Hot Wheels"
• Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. " Natural Light"

2019

• Chicago Pastel Painters, Seventh Biennial National Juried Exhibition, The Art Center Highland Park, IL.
• Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL." Garden Walk Fund Raiser.
• Aper’o Catelogue Fine Art Edition, Warmth July 2019, pp. 32

2018   

• Governor’s State University Gallery, University Park, IL. " Creating Art En Plein Air at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Exhibition".
•  Contemporary Nature, Juried Exhibition, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights. IL. "Contemporary Nature, Juried Exhibition",

Awards

2001

• President’s Art Contest & Exhibition, Homewood Art Fair, Homewood, IL. Honorable Mention.

Education

Private study under Marikay Peter Witlock, Union Street Gallery. 

A graduate of The University of Illinois, BS. in Retailing. I attended art and design courses and minored in Jewelry Design. I was taught & mentored by Robert Von Neuman, Professor and award winning jewelry designer.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend several workshops & demo’s from the following artists: Tony Alain, Julie & Michael Freeman, Isabelle Lim, Jeannie Rosier Smith, Christine Ivers, Alain Picard, and Marikay Peter Witlock.

Memberships: Chicago Pastel Painters, Union Street Gallery, Frankfort Arts Association.