Artist Statement

As I embark on this new journey of creating and sharing my art with others online, I find myself contemplating my why.  When I think of my art, I hesitate to share it because it's part of myself and part of my healing journey.  I've lacked the confidence for so long to put myself out there in this vulnerable way, but I feel like it's time now.  I've struggled with self-esteem, self-worth and so, being my own worst critic, I just never thought I was good enough.  I was also scared of criticism, but how can I better myself and my practice if I don't take risks?

I've spent most of my adult life raising my daughter and practicing as an elementary arts educator.  Both of these things have brought me much joy and have taught me so much about myself.  I've poured myself into them and now I'm more prepared and ready to spend some quality time creating my own art and sharing it with all of you.

I enjoy creating art inspired by nature.  I see such beauty in the eyes of an animal or the dewdrop on a leaf, the way the sun reflects on the water or how a shadow is cast onto a surface.  When I make art, I share what I see...the colors, shapes and lines that come together and form something special.  I would describe my work as realistic views of organic shapes.  I've been inspired by the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, the way she captured a flowers petal or the white of a bone across the blue of the sky.  I've always loved the way she captured colors and images, especially her large compositions of flowers and how they were enlarged to the point of partial abstraction.

I've currently been working in watercolor and pastels but I'm also experimenting with mixed media.  I like to create layers and work to find which mediums capture the colors, textures and looks I hope to achieve.  Some of my most recent works include a series of birds, but I also enjoy creating landscapes, other animals and flowers.

I guess my "why" is partly exploration and practicing to see the beauty around me.  Taking the time to stop and capture the special tiny things that happen every second and are so easily missed or quickly forgotten, yet so incredibly beautiful.  My hope is that you'll see the beauty also and stop yourself, to enjoy, sit with it and contemplate all it has to offer.