My goal is to be authentic, honest, vulnerable, imperfectly human, and to listen to my intuition. I choose subject matter that excites me. It could be an interesting light, shadow pattern, value contrast, beautiful shapes, elegant lines, or interesting color combinations.
I prefer painting directly from life because I perceive it firsthand and connect more to what excites me. The natural world is my teacher, and it holds all the information I need. Nature is vibrant and diverse, yet harmonious—a miracle in itself. The challenge is to create a new reality on canvas that is vibrant, exciting, alive, and harmonious simultaneously. The 'empty spaces' or less defined areas give the viewer an opportunity to fill in the gaps.
Painting is like life itself. It teaches me to let go, to support myself through every right or wrong decision I make, to trust that I am enough, and that less is more. It reminds me how overthinking creates a weaker painting, how change is inevitable, how important it is to take a deep breath when feeling overwhelmed, and how love is completely accepting. It reminds me that I’ll enjoy life and painting more if I relax in the present moment and trust that the creative power will guide me.
Exhibitions:
2024 - Solo Show, Wilsonville, OR
2024 - "The Telephone Game", group show, Lincoln City, OR
2023 - "It's the Water", group show, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
2023 - Plein Air Invitational Show, Salem on the Edge, Salem, OR
2022 - "Of the Moment: Plein Air and Alla Prima Showcase", Portland, OR
2022 - Art on the Edge Studio Tour group show, Lincoln City, OR
2021 - Flower Girls, a two-person exhibit, Newport, OR
2021 - Solo Show, Salem on the Edge, Salem, OR
2021 - The 2021 Umpqua Plein Air Event, Roseburg, OR
2021 - Plein Air at Salem on the Edge, Salem, OR
2021 - Lavender Art Festival, group show, Newberg, OR
2020 - For the Seventh Generation, Portland, OR
2020 - Your Art’s Desire, Pacific City, OR
2019 - Art on the Edge Studio Tour group show, Lincoln City, OR
2019 - Your Art’s Desire, Pacific City, OR
2018 - 60 Works in 60 Days, Chessman gallery, Lincoln City, OR
2018 - Toledo Plein Air group show, Toledo, OR
2018 - Art on the Edge Studio Tour group show, Lincoln City, OR
2017 - Realism vs. Impressionism, Vancouver, WA
2017 - Lavender Art Festival, group show, Newberg, OR
2017 - Studio Tour, group show, Lincoln City, OR
2016 - “Suggesting Reality” solo show, Chessman gallery, Lincoln City, OR
2015 - Salem Art Fair & Festival, Salem, Oregon
2013 – Salem Art Fair & Festival, Salem, Oregon
2013 – “Paintings from Life” solo show, Chessman gallery, Lincoln City, OR
2012 - Let There Be Arts Gala, Chessman gallery, Lincoln City, OR
2012 – Artists Village, McMinnville, Oregon
2010 - Let There Be Arts Gala, Freed gallery, Lincoln City, OR
2010 – Art Sea Street Fair, Lincoln City, Oregon
2009 – Annual Spring Art Show, Artists’ Studio Association, Lincoln City, Oregon
Awards:
2022 - 3rd place, 1st Coastal Plein Air and Wine Festival, Florence, OR
2022 - Purchase Award, 1st Coastal Plein Air and Wine Festival, Florence, OR
2022 - Honorable Mention, Portland, OR
2022 - 1st place, "Of the Moment: Plein Air and Alla Prima Showcase", Portland, OR
2021 - Honorable Mention, Newberg, OR Lavender Festival
2018 - 1st place, Toledo Plein Air competition, Toledo, OR
2017 - Honorable Mention, Newberg, OR Lavender Festival
2017 - Judges Pick, Dailypaintworks monthly contest
2009 - 2nd place Annual Spring Art Show, Artists’ Studio Association, Lincoln City, Oregon