As a young girl, I used to draw spiders. Everywhere and on everything. At 10 years old, I wanted to be a starving artist.
Things changed a bit after art school, like getting a 9 to 5 job and finding a spot in the corporate world. I never really stopped creating but I didn’t have an outlet for it.
My husband built me a studio, more to move my stuff OUT of the house since art was just a hobby at that point, but it was a great studio once I became more serious. That time came in 2007, a year after my dad passed away.
I was looking for a katydid photo to symbolize my dad in the way he taught me the love of nature, the love of being silent and taking in the sounds of our surroundings…the love of everything, even if it isn’t “traditionally” pretty. By accident, I came across a colored pencil forum that instantly mesmerized me and reminded me one of my favorite mediums was colored pencil. I just didn’t know the potential until I saw the wonderfully talented artists on the site. A few months later, I joined a local art gallery.
Since then, I’ve expanded into pastel. It was a natural progression from my other favorite medium – charcoal. I enjoy going back and forth, depending on the subject and my mood. Pastel allows me freedom in the movement, the back and forth it allows that colored pencil does not.
I’ve continued my effort as a serious artist while working full time, raising children as a widow, and creating art in a smaller studio. Even with everything life threw at me, (and I know it’s not done), I’m still looking at life as if it should be framed, savored, and genuinely appreciated.
I’m fascinated with the details in life, the expressions of joy and sorrow, the light shining on an object or animal and I just take it all in.
EDUCATION
B.A. in Fine Art, Meredith College | 1998 | Raleigh NC
B.A. in History, Meredith College | 1998 | Raleigh NC
AWARDS & JURIED SHOWS
One Nation \ Pastel | 2nd Place – Patriotic Expressions 2017 Art Contest| 2017
Swish | Pastel | 2014 Annual NC Statewide Juried Pastel Exhibition | 2014
Woolly Malamute and Alpine Goat | Pastel | 2013 NC Statewide Juried Pastel Exhibition | 2013
Violet | Colored Pencil | 11th International Fine Arts Show | American Juried Art Salon | 2010 | Plano Texas
Portrait of a Military Father | Pen and Ink (Stippling) | 1st Place – In Honor | 1991 | North Ridge Portrait Competition | Raleigh NC
Golden Key Award | 1991 | Durham NC
EXHIBITIONS
Alamance Artisans Extravaganza | 2017 | Haw River NC
Alamance Artisans Studio Tour | 2013-2016 | Mebane NC
Harrison’s | 2014 | Burlington NC
Festifall | 2012 | Chapel Hill NC
Benjamin Winery | 2012 | Saxapahaw NC
Saxapahaw Artists “Summer in America” | 2011 | Saxapahaw NC
Royal Bean | 2010 | Raleigh NC
Tyler D Studios | 2009 | Burlington NC
Art & Soul Studios “Aloha” | 2009 | Mebane NC
Art & Soul Studios “Together Again” | 2009 | Mebane NC
Churton Street Realty | 2009 | Hillsborough NC
Benjamin Winery | 2009 | Saxapahaw NC
Art & Soul Studios | 2008 | Mebane NC
Mebane Public Library | 2008 | Mebane NC
Art & Soul Studios | 2007 | Mebane NC
Meredith College | 1998 | Raleigh NC
GALLERIES
Fine and Folk Art Carolina | 2014-current | Mebane NC
NC Crafts Gallery | 2012 | Carrboro NC
Saxapahaw Artists | 2011-2012 | Saxapahaw NC
Art & Soul Studios | 2007-2009 | Mebane NC
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Mebane NC Chapel Hill NC Garden Valley, CA
Tryon NC Durham NC
Raleigh NC Benson NC
Hartford CT Bozeman MT
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
CPSA Membership, the Colored Pencil Society of America
Pencils, Pastels, and Paint 