Artist Statement

I like to see if I can represent relationships between light and dark, color and value to show dimension and texture on the flat surface of paper, hardboard or canvas.  My favorite subject matter is the world of the equine (horses, ponies, donkeys and mules) and how they respond to us and with us. 

Through years of observing, drawing and photographing specific subject matter that intrigues me I find that using paint works best for my purpose and acrylic specifically, because how quickly it dries. This paint allows me to work with all colors, temperatures and values or I can restrict and simplify to just one color plus white.  I can move quickly and heavily or build color and value by gently applying glaze after glaze to slowly grow its intensity or softness.

Currently I am focusing on realism with my fine art, working on a group of paintings using either a very limited palate of primary colors plus white or another group, limiting my palate even further to just white and mars black. At the moment am working on sketches for several of these compositions. The subject matter I have chosen so far is the human figure, donkeys, antique cars and copper tea pots.

Biography

    Horses, ponies and creativity with whatever is at hand have always been motivations in my life. I grew up in a small town in southern Michigan. I am the youngest of three children who were all very much involved with the many aspects 4-H had to offer. Horses, gardens, drawing, sewing and the county fair were important influences in my pre-18 life.

    As a young adult I received an undergraduate BFA degree from Colorado State University in graphic design and fine art. I worked my way through employment at local weekly newspapers and print shops with typesetting, designing and building ads and then designing things for customers for quick print work. After university I began focusing more on fine art and specifically portraiture of horses. Many subjects interest me but I find horses and the world we humans have built around their companionship and use is what I focus on most. My non-commission work gravitates toward more graphic imagery than impressionistic. I do find experimentation with a variety of treatments and media, both traditional and non-traditional, present interesting mind expanding challenges. For several years I worked part-time for a bronze sculptor doing everything from building armatures to finishing details on pieces.

    Currently I work primarily in acrylic paint and focus on fine art, surface design and decorative arts. I am working part-time at a local gift and craft company designing and building product.  I attend human portrait classes on a regular basis. I show my work by have a booth of my art and craft work at local events. In the summer I give riding lessons and train donkeys and sometimes horses, on a part- time basis.  I also try to go Plien Aire painting, where I use oil paint, with friends on a weekly basis in the summer. Two years ago I pulled my work from any gallery or gift shops I was in and did not enter art competitions or shows as my parents needed my help back in Michigan. I am now finding my way back to these and other outlets for my work. Next on my agenda is learning my way around the internet as a networking and marketing tool. Also am learning bits of some of the programs in the Adobe Suite to become more digitally aware and functional in this current world.