Bio
I was born and raised in the SF Bay Area. My first passion was music. For many years I was a singer/songwriter performing in clubs in the Bay Area. My second passion was raising my 3 sons in the beautiful Pacific Northwest while selling Real Estate for over 25 years. My third passion is painting. I had never expressed myself rough visual art. I am mostly self-taught. I have tried to fill every possible moment with learning what I can to add to my art practice—soaking in online classes and whatever workshops I can find. I hope I never stop learning!
Adult Education abstract painting class at SPSCC
Creative Visionary program 2021 and 2022
Current Student of Krista Harris Art Coaching
Artist Statement
Like a lot of people in my age group, my soul was searching for a new direction. I found a watercolor book, bought all the supplies and dove in head first. Eventually, I followed my heart down the path to abstraction and quickly turned to acrylics. I love the bright colors and the ability to paint on large substrates.
Some days I just mix and play with color. Color can be such a wonderful way to show expression. I use tools for mark making such as pencil, graphite and crayons and different mediums for glazing and thicker viscosity. I find inspiration from my life experience and surroundings. We are blessed to live in a landscape of such rich colors here in the Pacific North West.
I paint floral, landscape, and non-objective abstracts in an expressionistic style. I prefer to paint on large-size canvas’s that require a lot of bigger gestures which is essential to my style of painting. I also paint on beautiful cradled wood panels where I can sand and scrape to achieve different effects and textures. Finding surprises underneath the layers bring a sense of wonder and immense joy! I find the process of creating a painting, similar to solving a puzzle; adding, subtracting, play, and discernment. Until finally, I feel like my work is complete.
I am inspired by some of the American Abstract Expressionist Artists such as Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler and earlier works by artists like Matisse who creates incredibly rich colors.
