Artist Biography

When I picked up my first crayon, I was captivated with drawing. At the age of 10, I attended Saturday art classes continuously until I began college. From a liberal arts college, I transferred to study Architecture at the University of Cincinnati, finishing at the University of Arizona, Tucson, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. Throughout my college years, I always had a class in design, painting, sculpture, or fashion drawing. 

As an Architect and while working in the construction industry, I continued to paint and completed commissioned portraits. When my husband’s work took the family to live in Togo, West Africa and to Romania, Eastern Europe, I painted exclusively.

I have participated in workshops with nationally and internationally acclaimed portrait artists and attended classes at the Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia, The Art Students League, New York City, and the Chesapeake Fine Art Studio, Stevensville, MD. I've attended workshops with internationally and nationally awarded master landscape artists. Spending many hours in open studios  in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware, painting with other artists, has been a professional joy.

Portraiture is my passion. When someone sits for a portrait in my studio, their own home, or office I have the opportunity to learn who they are and what are their interests. While I love to render their likeness, I am also getting to know them better. When setting up a still-life, I am designing for color, values, and interest for a painting. If I want to be outdoors, I can take an easel and canvas outside to paint in "Plein Air". Practicing my craft is of utmost importance to me.

My paintings have received awards in past exhibitions and gallery shows. My works are in private collections in the US and Europe. Artist memberships include the Portrait Society of America, The Working Artist Forum in Easton, Maryland, and the Maryland Pastel Society.