Artists rarely work in one area for their whole lives. I am no exception to that circumstance. I have been a high school teacher, a museum education instructor, and a community volunteer. I have worked for department stores in visual merchandising, for schools as a visiting guest artist and for non-profit organizations as a special events designer. My best jobs however, have been as a wife, a mom, and a painter.

The necessity of raising a family, supporting my husband in his career, and furthering my experiences as an artist dictate what job I do and what role I play as the years pass by. As a working artist, I can adapt to wherever life takes me because the need to create comes from within and is not influenced by the surroundings in which I live. Formal art training in both undergraduate and graduate schools expanded upon what I knew I wanted to do. Daily life continues to teach what and why. Pieces in shows from coast to coast validate my efforts as an artist, but only laughter from those who see my work can ultimately prove me successful.

Past phases of imagery have included traditional water color painting of floral motifs and conceptual statements rendered in a stain glass style using that same media. Middle age brought about the need to expand, experiment, and explore; pushing boundaries of color and style to express rather than record. My subject became myself, my friends, unsuspecting strangers, and the world in which I find my self living. Enough drama and angst happens in daily life that my paintings become a place to laugh and let go.

Whether I am the “band mom” or the “art lady”, the “board member:” or the “merit badge counselor” I am always an artist. Personal view will decide if I am a realist or an expressionist, it does not matter much to me. That I am blessed to work and share that work with others is the most important gift and role of all.