ART HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. I ALWAYS HAVE LOVED TO DRAW, AND PAINT, AND CREATE THINGS. MY LOVE OF ART IS DEFINITELY INFLUENCED BY GROWING UP WITH A MOM AND GRANDMOTHER WHO ARE BOTH ARTISTS. I USED TO DESCRIBE MYSELF AS A SELF-TAUGHT ARTIST BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A FORMAL DEGREE IN FINE ART, BUT OVER THE YEARS I HAVE TAKEN WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES FROM SO MANY TALENTED ARTISTS, THAT I DEFINITELY FEEL WELL-TRAINED AND WELL-STUDIED IN FINE ART PAINTING.
I started painting in oils in a fairly traditional style, but the first time I took a workshop in acrylics, I was completely converted, and haven’t looked back. I LOVE the freedom and variety in working with acrylics. Over time, the new medium transformed my work into a more contemporary and abstract style.
I often am asked “Why birds?.” I started doing small bird paintings as gifts for mother’s day for my mom, my grandmother, and my aunts on my mom’s side. This was my first time working small, and one of my first times using collage (gluing found papers), and I was so absorbed by these little works, and stayed up most of the night to finish them. And then when they were presented to all these amazing women in my family, they were so happy with them, and that is ultimately my goal in my paintings, to bring joy to the viewer. I have continued painting birds, and am still thrilled every time I get to witness the delight when someone discovers a bird in one of my large abstract paintings.
I love talking about painting, and I love to help others with painting, so it is only natural that I love to teach workshops. Painting workshops are so wonderful whether I am the teacher or a student. The feeling of community while we are all learning is just bliss!
