Artist Statement
I've been creating art all of my life and still haven't gotten tired of it! As long as I can remember, I've had a brush and pencil in my hand. About 17 years ago I started taking painting classes and fell in love with plein air painting. Landscapes are my subject of choice, anything from a historic little street scene to capturing a quiet moment by a lake. I love the challenge of painting outdoors, capturing the light and shadows. Plein air painting allows me the time to relax and create spontaneously. I paint in both watercolors and oils. I strive to paint my watercolors in a loose representational style with quality brushstrokes and wet into wet washes. My oil paintings are pushing closer to realistic impressionism. I'm spending time painting multi-session and lots of layers.
Artist Biography
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising Design and a minor in Art History, from the University of Maryland, College Park. I worked as a professional graphic designer for 20 years and have continued to do freelance work. As a graphic designer I worked at a variety of ad agencies and corporations designing and producing web sites, print and advertising campaigns and multimedia presentations.
The last 15 years I've been honing my skills as a professional artist, such as, art management, sales, installation, instructing, marketing and sometimes painting! I continue my art education by taking workshops with local and international artists in both watercolor and oils. I also go out plein air painting with several local art groups on a regular basis.
Affiliations
Past President of the Northern Virginia Artists League
Potomac Valley Watercolorists, PVW Newsletter
Loudoun Sketch Club, Co-Chair Winter Workshops
Signature Member of the Virginia Watercolor Society
Member of Vale Arts (local juried co-op group)
Life Member of the Arts Council of Fairfax County
I participate in local juried, group and solo shows, as well as, several plein air events in the area. Some of these are:
“Art Institute of Washington – Dulles Campus” solo show (2015)
“Paint Herndon” (2010 to 2014)
“Great Falls Art on the Green Plein Air Event” (2015-present)
“Art at the Mill”, Millwood, VA (2004 to present)
“Four Seasons at Oatlands”, Leesburg, VA (2004 to 2014)
“Treasury of Art”, Vienna Art Society (2012 to 2013)
“The Cooley Gallery”, Leesburg, VA (July 2013)
“Workhouse Arts Center”, Vulcan Gallery (Associate Artist 2010 to 2013)
"The Artists' In Middleburg Gallery", 2022-present
Cover of Elan Magazine March 2014, Inside April 2014, full page and ¼ page September 2015, multi-page article May 2018 also a painting printed as part of an article in Piedmont Virginia about the Loudoun Sketch Club.
