Category: Artist Statements and Bios

On Animals…

I believe all animals have a sense of humor.  They share joy and love with us. Animals help us live more complete lives in many ways.  They help us stay happy and protect us.

I paint the honesty and goodness I see in the eyes of animals.  I can tell if an animal is shy or frightened by looking into its eyes.  Hopefully, my paintings of animals will help us see how they bring beauty into the world.  

On Portraits…

My instincts tell me that people are neat; that they are fascinating.  When people go out in public, they put on a face that they think is appropriate.  They may do this because they are afraid, nervous, shy.  Maybe they want to make someone else feel better.

My drawings and paintings of people show how they really feel inside.  They show that no one is perfect, but no one is totally imperfect either.  Hopefully, these drawings will help us to look at each other and ourselves and be comfortable with what we see.

BIOGRAPHY:

Education:

• • Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design – 1998-2000

Publications:

• • The Key Magazine – 1998

Honors:

• • T-Shirt design chosen for Corporate Capers Poster – 2002

• • VSA Recognition Award – 2013

• • Painting ‘Bird on the Roof’ chosen for VSA’s Traveling Exhibition – 2014-2017

• • 2015 Call for Art Viewers’ Choice Award

• 2016 Call for Art Viewers’ Choice Award
• VSA Recognition Award -2017
• 2017 Call for Art Viewers’ Choice Award

Shows and Exhibitions:

• • Whitefish Bay Library Art Show – 2004

• • Whitefish Bay Library Art Show – 2005

• • Gallery 218 – 2005

• • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2012

• • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2013

• • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2014

• • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2015

• • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2016
• Art Fair on the Square – 2016
  • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2017
  • Painting ‘Tasting Nature’ chosen for VSA’s Traveling Exhibition – 2017 – 2019
  • Visual Expressions Art Show – 2018

The city I live in provides the images for my paintings.  This is the background in which I find the simplicity of a roughly worn building, or a cracked, patched area of concrete.

I set off with my camera and wander through streets and alleys, searching for the vivid spaces caused when light and shadow connect.  I find that standing within these areas and visually exploring them seals my connection with them, making my understanding of them more solid.  I take pictures with my camera to catch all the small details that I may or may not want to use later.  

I portray life as it  throbs through the bright colors, shadows, noises, and buildings. Shapes that come about when light and shadow meet are the height of intrigue to me and give me pleasure in and of themselves.  

BIOGRAPHY

Education:

• • Cardinal Stritch University – Masters in Education – 2000
  • Studied Art at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee – 1971 – 1973, 1975 – 1976

Publications:

• • How Did You Paint That: 100 Ways to Paint Landscapes by International Artists – 2004

Honors:

• • Midwest Frame Supply Award – 2013
  • Induction into the Watercolor Honor Society – 2013
  • Merit Award – American Women Artists – 2015

Membership:

• • American Women Artists
  • Watercolor Honor Society
  • National Watercolor Society

Shows/Exhibitions:

• Gallery 218 – 2005, 2006
• Grava Gallery (solo show) – 2005
• John Michael Kohler Art Center – 2007
• Watercolor USA – 2011
• Watercolor USA – 2013
• Watercolor Honor Society Exhibition – 2014
• American Women Artists Exhibition – 2014
• Watercolor Wisconsin – 2014
• Missouri Watercolor Society Exhibition – Jan., 2015
• National Watercolor Society – 2015
• American Women Artists – 2015
• Watercolor Wisconsin – 2015
• Watercolor Wisconsin – 2016
• Watercolor USA – 2018

I’ve always enjoyed telling a story, whether it’s in poetic form, a novel, or a memoir.  As Dostoevsky wrote, “For the secret of man’s being is not only to live but to have something to live for.”  The experience of life is rewarding no matter who you are or what you’ve achieved.  Each of us has something to say.

BIOGRAPHY

Education:

• Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Awards and Honors:

• Recipient of a Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in journalism from Northern Illinois University.
• Winner of a poetry contest in the Shepherd Express
• Elected member of Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society.

I have published multiple articles in trade magazines.

I have had several poems published in literary magazines.