Illuminated Painting

Looking back over my journey to becoming an artist, from my current home on the North Fork of Long Island, New York; through a design career that enlarged my worldview with world travel; to a childhood in Denver, Colorado where I was raised to respect the sanctity of work-well-done—I am gratefully aware of the communities that influenced me and the teachers that gave selflessly of their time, knowledge, and connections. I studied painting at Washington University School of Fine Art, St Louis; although, a career in Graphic Design was my final major. As a senior in the design department, together with a handful of fellows, I wrote the proposal to the department chair requesting permission to form a working studio for our final year serving organizations throughout the university and surrounding community. Thus, began my first experience interacting with clients and designing / producing posters, packaging, and corporate identity as a proud member of Create Design Studio, Washington University. The program was so successful that the art school turned it into a master’s program. This effort gave me the confidence to move to New York City following graduation. After several months, some free-lance jobs, and a few false starts; I found my dream job with a small design firm on Manhattan’s 6th Ave, the 29th floor of the Time Life Building. I had arrived! Across the following years as a graphic designer, I honed perceptual skills used in painting—composition, use of color and value structure. The art of observation, a painter’s greatest tool, is another skill that was strengthened while navigating my career through multiple industries: corporate business, motion graphics, computer design; as well as cultures: American, Brazilian, and French. In 2006, I returned to painting with a renewed focus, while accompanying my husband on an expedition through the tropics of Bolivia. Instead of tagging behind scientists in bug infested waters; I went prepared to spend the month with my brushes and watercolors …a journey that led me back to my love of painting. The challenge to capture a moment in time; reflect and illuminate light and shadow with color and value is a wonderful journey. With these paintings, I hope you will join me.