Pursuit of the Pearl, Fantasy Flower Series Painting

After working many years in the corporate world, I changed careers in 1993, opening The Finishing Touch, a custom framing company which specialized in framing original art and antique prints. A few years later I began teaching a Matting and Framing class at the Middletown Art Center, and then added watercolor classes by Frank Martindell into my schedule. It was a perfect match. At heart, I am a landscape artist. My medium has always been watercolor. I do, however, appreciate many styles of painting, enjoy delving into new painting techniques, and learning varying styles. I believe an artist learns something of major importance from each instructor encountered. I have been fortunate to have many excellent instructors who have each left a lasting impression on my artistic style. I strongly feel the importance of passing down to others the techniques and knowledge of watercolor. This transition forms a fellowship between the artists of our day--not only from instructor to student, but also from student to student. It reminds me of the kinship I have read existed between the famous painters of 19th century Paris during their creative years as they painted and dined together, discussing their work and methods in the charming cafes of Paris. I am especially fond of the wonderful and picturesque barns of rural Ohio. Having spent many summer weeks on my grandmother’s and grandfather’s farm in Wisconsin during my childhood years, I have always been glad to see the large amount of farmlands still flourishing in our area. They bring back a flood of old memories—fun cousins playing together in grandmother’s yard, and the smells that emanated from her country kitchen. My late husband, Jim, and I often went on adventures we called “barning”, traveling local back country roads on long Sunday afternoon rides. Discovering interesting old barns and farms was the bonus that made the day successful, providing reference photos which become the basis of many watercolors.