BIO
My background is a blend of design, fine art, and teaching. I’m a life-long learner: starting with a B.A. in Sociology, I later earned a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Social Studies and History, then a Graphic Design Certificate. I have taken many art classes, yet I am primarily self-taught in painting and drawing. Pastels had been my preferred medium, but I’ve recently added watercolors and acrylics to my repertoire.
My travels have inspired my art deeply. I have visited many areas of the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe, Peru, South Africa, 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 the paintings when I return home.
My first solo art exhibit was at Mass. Audubon at Habitat, in 2010, titled “Gifts of Nature.” Since then, I have been honored to exhibit my art in several shows and I continue to participate in local art events. My art has graced the walls in the Belmont Gallery of Art, The Old Schwamb Mill, Arsenal Center for the Arts, and other lovely venues!
I am a semi-retired web designer, consultant, and educator with my own business, ASK Design. Working primarily with small businesses, non-profits, and creative individuals, my process is collaborative and inclusive. I have many years of experience teaching at the secondary, college, and adult levels. Now, I teach workshops and speak on subjects ranging from design and web 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 I was an adult, 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 pigment 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, and of celebrating the wonders of the universe. 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.