Artist Profile
I first picked up a paintbrush in 1972. I was at Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in Theater Production, and I was assigned to a scene painting crew. I knew immediately that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. That lasted about 6 years. I had to take a test to join the Scenic Artists Union and one of the requirements was to paint a landscape. I was good at painting faux wood and marble and stenciling wall paper and making a flat surface look 3D, but I knew nothing about fine art. I even attended classes at the Art Students’ League in New York for a month or two. But life got in the way and it wasn’t until the 1990’s when my children were in school that I thought about taking art lessons again. I started drawing with pencil, moved on to charcoal and pastel, and then finally to oils. As soon as I picked up a brush, I was hooked all over again.
It is not the subject that inspires me the most, but the drama that lies within. As artists we are always looking for that emotional response, whether it be from a compelling story, an intriguing expression, or a beautiful play of light and shadow.
I live in North Jersey with my husband, a retired firefighter, and now that my children are grown, I have much more time to devote to painting. For the past few years, I have spent as much time as possible immersing myself in classes and workshops, visiting galleries and museums, learning and absorbing as much as I can in an effort to improve my craft. I regularly attend classes at the fantastic Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood, NJ with art teacher Patty Nebbeling. My works have won numerous awards and have been exhibited throughout New York City and North Jersey. Some of my works are in permanent exhibitions in public venues and many are in private collections.
The other passion in my life is sailing. We have been sailing since 2005, mostly on the East coast. Our port of call now is the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and I have just begun plein air painting from the boat. It is a dream come true to be able to combine my two favorite past times!
As I have traveled from pencil and charcoal to pastels and oils, while trying my hand at portraits, figures, still life and landscapes, the one discovery I make over and over is that no matter how much I learn there is always so much more to know! I would like to use this blog to share what I am learning and hopefully, through your comments, what you are learning as well. I am beginning to understand that the process is just as important as the result. It truly is all about the journey! Please, Join Me!
It is not the subject that inspires me the most, but the drama that lies within. As artists we are always looking for that emotional response, whether it be from a compelling story, an intriguing expression, or a beautiful play of light and shadow.
I live in North Jersey with my husband, a retired firefighter, and now that my children are grown, I have much more time to devote to painting. For the past few years, I have spent as much time as possible immersing myself in classes and workshops, visiting galleries and museums, learning and absorbing as much as I can in an effort to improve my craft. I regularly attend classes at the fantastic Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood, NJ with art teacher Patty Nebbeling. My works have won numerous awards and have been exhibited throughout New York City and North Jersey. Some of my works are in permanent exhibitions in public venues and many are in private collections.
The other passion in my life is sailing. We have been sailing since 2005, mostly on the East coast. Our port of call now is the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and I have just begun plein air painting from the boat. It is a dream come true to be able to combine my two favorite past times!
As I have traveled from pencil and charcoal to pastels and oils, while trying my hand at portraits, figures, still life and landscapes, the one discovery I make over and over is that no matter how much I learn there is always so much more to know! I would like to use this blog to share what I am learning and hopefully, through your comments, what you are learning as well. I am beginning to understand that the process is just as important as the result. It truly is all about the journey! Please, Join Me!