My work focuses to capture the spirit of timeless beauty, striving for an ethereal quality. I have a love for painting figures that are often very silent and still, introspective, and emotional. My backgrounds are set as stages, and the colors are often warm and earth tones. I love patterns, and often use them in the hair, dress and background to build beautiful textures and colors. Another aspect of my figures are women and how they relate to nature. Some pieces are contemporary takes on the nude in the landscape, and some are influenced by early photographs from the late 1800’s.

I have recently started to collage torn pages from books onto boards and then paint over parts to create a richly textured surface. This adds an interesting aspect to the work. My art always reflects my current fascinations. I have fallen in love with birds and love to incorporate them into my work. I do not like to be stagnant so my work is constantly changing and evolving.

EDUCATION

Bachelors of Fine Arts - Painting 1999
Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

Associates Degree - 1997
Springfield College in Illinois

GRANTS & AWARDS


Best of Springfield
2nd Place Painting 2009 Illinois State Fair Professional Art Competition
Governors Award 2008 Illinois State Fair Professional Art Competition
3rd place Drawing 2000 Illinois State Fair Professional Art Competition
1st place in art, 1995 SIU SCOPE literary magazine