Artist
Statement
Through often intense color, complexity and high contrast, I portray the world around me in a positive, slightly whimsical way. I explore the space between abstract and representational, then mix in a graphic design aesthetic.
I start with a vision but build elements organically, balancing structure and spontaneity. I also use digital tools as part of my process allowing for quick sketches and easy experimentation of color and form. The layering of shapes, textures and colors add a dimensional quality to my 2-dimensional pieces, and steel, wood and paper create reliefs in my mixed media works.
While some works are influenced by landscapes, nature, and identifable forms, many have an explosive energy that erupts for a point. That energy is a part of me and is an important element that finds its way into much of my art.
About Me
I got really lucky. My mom is a true artist, my dad an engineer. Because they were young and hungry when I was born, they also gave me a firm grounding in DIY, which has had a huge influence on my willingness to attempt almost anything creative.
I sold my first works of art at the age of nine: clay pendants with peace signs for $1 in my mom’s ceramics booth at art fairs. By the time I was in my teens, I was showing my ceramic creations and mixed media collages at juried exhibitions throughout the Midwest. I did this through college, earned a BFA in graphic design and entered the business world.
For 40 years I was in the graphic design field, most recently as the Regional VP, North America for Spark, a London-based company. My career in graphic design was demanding and satisfying, but it was never quite enough. With an eye toward honing my fine art skills, I explored printmaking, collage, fused glass, textiles, metal sculpture and furniture making, then settled into acrylic painting and mixed media over the past 15 years.
Currently, I’m combining the influences from my many experiments, and professional experience, to create unique and varied work in acrylics, mixed media and metals--some using acrylics alone and others combining these materials. I use digital tools as part of my process, allowing for quick sketches and easy experimentation of color and form prior to putting paint on the surface.
Organizations
Wisconsin Visual Artists (WVA)
League of Milwaukee Artists (LMA)
Rogues Artist Group
Wisconsin Craft