BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Magnolia, Arkansas, I learned oils and water colors under Marjorie Chamberlain from sixth grade through high school graduation. She and her students were featured in LIFE magazine in the 50’s because her  sidewalk/clothes line art show was so unique and well done at the time. I was too young for that, but participated in many of the annual shows after that. Art classes were started in public schools when I was in junior high. I was always in those classes. At the University of Arkansas, I majored in painting and minored in sculpture. Through the years, in California, I took classes at Pasadena City College, the Pasadena Museum of Modern Art. I owned and operated a gallery called The Studio in South Pasadena and was an active member of the San Gabriel Art Association that had its own gallery as well.  Upon moving to Shreveport, Louisiana I created the first fine art poster commemorating the Red River Revel Art Festival there and was included in the juried selection of participating artists.  During those years I did many one man shows at local banks, hospitals, churches and enjoyed area art competitions and festivals.

Lots of new inspiration came my way when I got to spend 3 years on Galveston Island.  The foliage, the  visual variety in architecture, beach, the bay and birds offer a myriad of subjects to keep an artist happypainting for hours on end.  There my work was shown at Eibands Gallery and at the Clear Lake Art Gallery. Currently I am a member of the Richardson Art Association and have been selling to patrons who have seen my work at the opening of the hugely successful Harbor development in Rockwall and at American Fine Art Gallery in the design district in Dallas.

ARTIST STATEMENT

As I observe God’s handiwork with its myriad of ever changing colors, shapes, textures and man-made manifestations, I am inspired to capture the essence of moments in time with paint and heartfelt effort. An experience of  visual ambience is a privilege that I long to share with others in hopes that, at least for some others, the experience will be enjoyed as well.

Water color and acrylic are my favorite mediums.  I love the freedom to explore and experiment with acrylics and I love doing detail in water color.

Subjects that capture my imagination and creativity are most often bathed in a play of light and shadow.  I often enjoy incorporating pointillism into a painting to bring vibrancy, surprise and energy to a subject.  Also, it is fun to sometimes limit my palate to colors I don’t typically gravitate to so that I am forced to think anew on what will or won’t work in my mind’s eye.  I find each subject requires its own individual approach so its song can be heard.

I strive for the results to be more interesting and exciting than just a nice picture.  Keeping a creative edge alive is a crucial element in art for me.

As a maturing artist, the standard of quality in any work I do has become more and more important to me which translates into many many hours on a piece at times.  Then add the 50 years it has taken to hone some skill and develop vision………there you have it. Now there is a painting!!