Biography
I live in Michigan surrounded by the beautiful Great Lakes. I am married, have two children and four grandchildren. My wonderful husband Jim, my family and friends have supported me in my art.
I have always loved art and admired those that could paint and I always wanted to paint. After surviving Renal Cell Carncinoma in 2000 I decided it was time to stop thinking about it and go full speed ahead. I bought a watercolor book and painted a couple of paintings. I then took an oil painting class and really liked the medium. In 2001 my sister-in-law invited me to join her for an acrylic workshop in Texas with instructor Jerry Yarnell. He is a great instuctor and was the inspiration in my becoming serious about pursuing my art. I have taken workshops with many great artists. After seeing many beautiful pastel paintings I decided to try pastel and fell in love with the medium. I especially like painting animals in pastel.
One of the most exciting experiences is painting en plein air. I joined the Michigan Plein Air Painters and took my easel outside. It is wonderful to be outdoors doing what I love and being among nature.
My favorites mediums are oil, pastel and acrylic.
Memberships
- Livingston Fine Art Association
- Michigan Plein Air Painters
- Brighton Art Guild
- Ann Arbor Women Artists
- Ann Arbor Area Pastelists
- The Great Lakes Pastel Society
Past Exhibits
- Chelsea Center for the Arts
- Huron Valley Art Council
- The Indiana Wildlife Show (juried)
- The Bay Harbor Summer Art Show (juried)
- Livonia Arts Commission (juried)
- Art Harvest Brighton Art Guild (juried)
- Livingston Home Show (juried)
- Great Lakes Pastel Society (juried)
- Ypsilanti Historical Museum
- Ann Arbor Women Artists Summer Exhibit (juried)
Awards
- Ann Arbor Women Artists Summer Exhibit Honorable Mention 2010
- Kaleidoscope Second Place 2010
- Ron Filmore Stockbridge Show First Place 2009
- Fowlerville Fair Best of Show Pastel 2009
- Fowlerville Fair Best of Show Water Oil 2009
- Fowlerville Fair 2 Gold Ribbons from Michigan State Fair 2009
- Fowlerville Fair 4 First Places 2009
- Fowlerville Fair 3 Second Places 2009
- Fowlerville Fair Livingston Fine Art Award 2009
- Art Harvest, Brighton Art Guild Honorable Mention 2009
- Ron Filmore Stockbridge Show Second Place 2008
- Fowlerville Fair Best of Show Portrait 2008
- Fowlerville Fair Gold Ribbon from Michigan State Fair 2008
- Fowlerville Fair 4 First Places 2008
- Fowlerville Fair Second Place 2008
- Fowlerville Fair Third Place 2008
- Fowlerville Fair Livingston Fine Art Award 2008
- Livingston Fine Art Third Place Artist of the Year 2008
