Inspiration comes to me in flashes. I doodle. I see the possibility of a picture and generally start with a sketch, allowing the piece to develop as I work. I’m never quite sure how it will come out since somewhere along the line, the image seems to take over and direct its own progress. This staying present in the moment allows for freedom and growth with each piece. I strive for strong design, dynamic color and simplicity. I work toward an abstract element within the framework of representational art. I prefer humor to pathos.
I am self taught. I paint on museum board or heavy paper that has been prepared with a mixture of gesso and pumice. The gritty surface holds the pastel and allows me to build up more layers. Each layer is blended down with a brush and a small amount of Turpenoid until I get the velvety matte texture I like.
Music was my first art form. I taught music in public schools and gave private lessons in voice. Eight years ago, I began making visual art.
Exhibitions:
Midcoast Arts, Moline, Illinois
Quincy Women’s Center, Quincy, Illinois
People’s Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Corporate Collections:
Keller Rohrbach, LLP, Seattle, Washington
Private Collections:
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Evanston, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Dubuque, Iowa
Falls Church, Virginia
Seattle, Washington
St. Louis, Missouri
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Post graduate, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Galleries:
Art Oasis, Amana, Iowa
Campbell Steele Gallery, Marion, Iowa
Iowa Artisan, Iowa City, Iowa
Outside The Lines Gallery, Dubuque
Perlow Stevens Gallery, Columbia, Missouri
Quad City Arts, Rock Island, Illinois
Brewery Pottery Studio, Mineral Point, Wisconsin
