My green eyes opened up to new possibilities when he left me THE best Christmas present my 4th grade year! Ripping through the carefully wrapped paper, I became mesmerized by what I saw on the cover of the box! I peered down to see a photograph of a beautiful New England harbor scene on the paint-by-number oil
painting set; brush and canvas panel included! The magic couldn’t happen, however, until everyone finished their Christmas dinner and the kitchen table was cleared. It seemed I couldn’t get the newspaper down on that table fast enough! I carefully laid out all the contents of the box, lined up the thimble sized cups of paint in numerical order, and began swirling the creamy paint onto the canvas hoping to not cross the lines. This was the start of my art journey!
Even though my path to being a full-time artist may have taken more curves and side streets than I originally dreamed it would, all of my life experiences have added to the riches of the rewards.
My current artworks are influenced by random people and simple objects I have come across during my travels, and especially, in my local surroundings. For example, while feeling antsy at the beginning of the pandemic crisis/lock-down, I began a watercolor series on paper of trash (smashed cans and bottles) I encountered on my neighborhood streets during daily jogs. The speckled lights dancing off of the “run over” discards immediately caught my attention as the bright spring sun cast stark long shadows on to the pebbled pavement. I knew at that moment I had to get back home and paint!
In addition to water media pieces I am currently working on in the studio, I am working on a series of non-representational oils & cold wax pieces on both paper and cradled wood panels; some being collaged with my old schoolwork pages, letters received, personal journal notes, and hand-painted papers.
I am grateful for all the people who have encouraged me and my art endeavors over the years, but, especially to Santa for the special gift he left for me so long ago and what it taught me…
Do what you love and paint outside the lines!