Proximal Forms (Friends) Painting

I am an artist and art conservator, born in the San Francisco Bay Area, but now living in Vancouver, Canada. I have worked as a Paintings Conservator for many years, and through positions at several museums (National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, SFMOMA and the Art Gallery of Ontario) I have developed an intimate knowledge and appreciation of artist techniques and materials. Health issues related to use of solvents as a conservator for many years, has led me to focus on creating my own art - something that I have always practiced, but that now I can give my full dedication to. Given my technical background, I am often drawn to historical techniques and unique materials. I enjoy the challenge of trying to recreate traditionally difficult visual effects such as opalescence, water reflection, refraction and transparency. As someone who has lived and worked in several locations (including the US, France, Denmark, Hong Kong and France) I am deeply interested in the theme of transformation. This is visible in my works that explore the transformative change that glass undergoes as it is tossed by time and tide to become sea glass. Also, my underwater paintings explore how this cool blue alternate realm beneath the surface transforms light and form. My figurative art is informed by the artists of the San Francisco Bay Area Figurative Movement, particularly Elmer Bischoff and Joan Brown. I was lucky enough to study the practice of art at UC Berkeley when these were artists living, teaching and working all around us. A highlight of my conservation career was repairing a large scale Joan Brown work while working at SFMOMA. I currently spend time with my husband and my wonderful and willful young adult children. If I am not painting, I can often be found on the waters of the Sea to Sky Corridor, on my paddle board with my two crazy (but well-balanced!) rescue dogs.