I have been painting and drawing since 1999 and am self-taught. My journey has allowed me to find teachers whose art inspired me and to delve into what drives me as a painter. My earliest inspiration was German painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. I admired his confident angles, dark colors and subject matter. Other artists who have influenced me are Tom Thomson, Emil Nolde, and Grace Hartigan.
Art is therapeutic for me. I went from my dining room table, to a shared studio, to my own studio. It is my home away from home. I love playing with materials to create texture and have explored using joint compound, gravel, egg shells, glazes and collage to create layered acrylic and oil paintings.
My subject matter is mainly portraits and I have focused on women because I find they are special creatures who have endured tremendous challenges to have their own voice. I believe it is similar to what an artist experiences. I am interested in their struggle, joy and their ever-changing roles in society. I am in awe of these glorious beings, their wisdom and fears and am humbled by their boundless strength, beauty and nature.
My purpose in creating work is to communicate to the viewer a sense of time and place, a memory, emotion or shared experience that resonates with them, to know that they are not alone.
Exhibitions:
7/2005 Group Show at Rust Belt Books, Buffalo, NY
8/2007 Solo Show at Rust Belt Books, Buffalo, NY
9/2010 Teacher/Student Show, Market Street Art Gallery, Lockport, NY
11/2012 Group Show, Lamp Lighter Gallery, Middleport, NY
5/2014 Solo Show, Becker Farms Brewery, Gasport, NY
6/2015 Participant in Project 308 Gallery Art Festival, North Tonawanda, NY
7/2016 Participant in Project 308 Gallery Art Festival, North Tonawanda, NY
9/2016 Art Show with Artist Mark Weld, Wide Angle Gallery, Medina, NY
8/2017 Participant in Battle of the Brushes, Buffalo, NY
4/2018 Group Show, Market Street Art Gallery, Lockport, NY
5/2018 Group Show, Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit, Kenan Gallery, Lockport, NY
9/2019 Group Show, Market Street Art Gallery, Lockport, NY
7/2022 Solo Show at Art247, Lockport, NY
6/2023 Participant in 100 American Craftsmen Show, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY
10/2023 Artist Paired w/Writer, Write Touch Writer’s Group, Art247, Lockport, NY
9/2024 Group show at East Avenue Eclectics, Gasport, NY
Awards:
8/2017 2nd Place, Battle of the Brushes, Buffalo, NY
5/2018 2nd Place, Niagara Frontier Art Exhibit, Kenan Gallery, Lockport, NY
9/2019 2nd Place, Elements show, Market Street Art Gallery, Lockport, NY
7/2023 Speaker and Featured Artist at Niagara Arts Guild, Dale Assn., Lockport
9/2024 Painted a portrait of Josh Allen on a guitar for the Bills’ Elvis and
Eric Wood Charity (Evan Wood Charity for Children’s Hospital) event; met Josh Allen and he signed the guitar!