I draw and paint a world of other times and other places. My artwork reflects my passion for history, culture, costume, storytelling and the joy of imagination.
I have always made visual art but I pursued the world of the performing arts when I was a teenager and spent 15 glorious years as a professional actress and singer in theatres throughout the East Coast. Eventually changing career paths, I happily entered the world of teaching as an elementary school art teacher. These two jobs are more similar than you might imagine and I found that my experience as a performer made me a better teacher and my work as a teacher of children seemed to make me a better artist. Working with children, viewing their incredible artwork and experiencing such creative energy inspired me in many ways and helped me discover that I am happiest drawing and painting people, animals and landscapes in a whimsical manner. And my life in the theatre is always in my pictures, too, because the characters usually end up in historically inspired costumes and often dance about the paper as if on stage.
I work mainly in watercolor paint and gouache (opaque watercolor) on 140 lb. watercolor paper or on parchment. I love the fluidity of watercolors, the bright simple colors and its gentle nature.
I received all of my formal education in the state of Maryland, earned my undergraduate degree from the University of MD College Park and my graduate degree from Towson University. However, I truly believe that I’ve also been influenced by the artwork of other artists, illustrators and cultures. If I had to choose a few they would be: Johannes Vermeer, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Lisbeth Zwerger, N.C. Wyeth, Edmund Dulac, Hokusai and the art of illuminated manuscripts.
I have always made visual art but I pursued the world of the performing arts when I was a teenager and spent 15 glorious years as a professional actress and singer in theatres throughout the East Coast. Eventually changing career paths, I happily entered the world of teaching as an elementary school art teacher. These two jobs are more similar than you might imagine and I found that my experience as a performer made me a better teacher and my work as a teacher of children seemed to make me a better artist. Working with children, viewing their incredible artwork and experiencing such creative energy inspired me in many ways and helped me discover that I am happiest drawing and painting people, animals and landscapes in a whimsical manner. And my life in the theatre is always in my pictures, too, because the characters usually end up in historically inspired costumes and often dance about the paper as if on stage.
I work mainly in watercolor paint and gouache (opaque watercolor) on 140 lb. watercolor paper or on parchment. I love the fluidity of watercolors, the bright simple colors and its gentle nature.
I received all of my formal education in the state of Maryland, earned my undergraduate degree from the University of MD College Park and my graduate degree from Towson University. However, I truly believe that I’ve also been influenced by the artwork of other artists, illustrators and cultures. If I had to choose a few they would be: Johannes Vermeer, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Lisbeth Zwerger, N.C. Wyeth, Edmund Dulac, Hokusai and the art of illuminated manuscripts.