Finding My Passion
I began as a child watching and painting with my mother, a talented artist. I studied painting as an art student in college and later with successful professional artists in classes and workshops for many years. My first degree was in Art Education from State University College, Buffalo. Painting classes were all in oil where I was encouraged to paint what I feel. While that was exciting, I wanted more structure and found my true passion when I painted in watercolor. I love the transparency, layering possibilities, and strong color.
Professional Associations
South Carolina Watermedia Society, Member of Excellence
National Watercolor Society
Transparent Watercolor Society of America
Southern Watercolor Society
American Watercolor Association
Fine Arts League of Cary
Serendipity Gallery, Beaufort NC
Durham Art Guild
My Process
I paint in watercolor, sometimes using acrylic and collage. I begin with an inspiration – for example a photograph, a glimpse of a place, or noticing shadows that look interesting. I sometimes sketch outdoors. I use a SKETCH to capture my idea, think about point of view, and consider the values I want to achieve. After drawing the image the size I want to paint I establish the whites, do an underpainting using mid-tones, followed by dark tones and then finish it. I like to incorporate texture in various ways such as brush strokes, spatter, drip, lifting or pressing textures into the wet paint. Gesso on watercolor paper, letting it dry completely gives me a good textured surface to paint on. Using the slick paper Yupo is challenging but exciting and I can take advantage of happy accidents. Every painting is different, has a life of its own, and may become a stepping off point for the next.
