BIO
My background is a blend of design, fine art, and teaching. I have a Graphic Design Certificate from the Massachusetts College of Art, a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Social Studies and History (honors program) from the University of Massachusetts/Boston, and a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in History from the University of Massachusetts/Boston (magna cum laude graduate). I have taken many painting classes, yet I am primarily self-taught in painting and drawing.
My travels have inspired my art deeply. I have visited all areas of the United States, Canada, Europe, Peru, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. I paint everywhere I go, en plein air. Often I paint on location for only an hour to capture the essence of a place, then I continue on with my hike or exploration of the area. I finish most of my paintings when I return home, again outdoors, often in the quiet, meditative beauty of Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
My first solo art exhibit was at Mass. Audubon at Habitat, in 2010, titled “Gifts of Nature.” Since then, I have been honored to be invited to exhibit my art in other solo and 2-person shows. I continue to participate in many local open studio events, exhibiting in the associated groups shows. My art has also graced the walls in the Belmont Gallery of Art, The Old Schwamb Mill, Arsenal Center for the Arts, and other lovely venues!
Currently, I am a semi-retired web/graphic designer with my own business, ASK Design. I work collaboratively with designers, artists, and developers to solve marketing and communication problems. I am committed to environmental protection and sustainability, and provide guidance on how to produce visual materials with minimal environmental impact. I was a graphic design adjunct professor for many years at Lasell College in Newton, MA. Now, I teach workshops and speak on subjects ranging from web design and development to painting and art.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have been drawing and painting since I was a child. I would sit for hours drawing mandalas with my colored pencils, entranced by the geometric shapes and rich colors. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I started to call myself an artist. That self-defining moment coincided with my falling in love with pastels.
I began working with pastels right after I began swimming with wild dolphins. I wanted to be able to convey through my art the emotional, ethereal quality of this deeply spiritual experience. The vibrant colors and wonderful textures of pastels drew me right back into that ocean world as I painted. Soon I was led to paint other “landscapes” in nature that moved and inspired me.
The Earth is sacred to me. When I begin a painting, the moment the pastel touches the paper, my mind slows down, and I enter a peaceful, meditative state. As I paint, I become deeply immersed in my surroundings, and the joy of playing with color and light fills me. These are sacred moments—when I feel both awe at the beauty around me and humility at being part of something greater than myself.
What I try to do with my paintings is evoke the richness of a particular moment, with all of its sensations and emotions. Art is my way of honoring a special place or experience, usually in the natural world, and of celebrating the wonders of the universe. In my artwork, I step away from my rational mind and allow my spirit to create the art. The completed painting is about what is in my heart as well as what I see with my eyes.