(come paint with me)

Artistic Philosophy

 

As far back as I can remember I wanted to draw or paint people. The human form, especially in a classical rendition, is so beautiful and interesting – it really is the masterpiece of all of God’s creations.  In my paintings I love to make the light and atmosphere flow in, out and around faces, bodies and objects and arrange the subjects within an abstract design concept using a variety of values, shapes, colors, and textures. Creating a fusion of classical representational form and abstract compositional elements to create a new work of art is exhilarating. It almost feels like I’m bringing a new life into the world.

 

Acknowledgements

 

Every artist needs to be true to the unique artistic compass within and find his or her own destiny.  However, it is also said that in whatever our accomplishments may be, we all stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before.  I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge those that have had the most impact on my professional career.  Years ago, I was fortunate enough to discover Fred Fixler, a master teacher who later became a founder of the California Art Institute.  He was an exacting and demanding perfectionist who taught me the drawing skills he learned at the feet of great American artists, tracing their “genealogy” from Frank Reilly back to Howard Pyle.  I feel blessed to have studied with him for three years.

 

David Leffel is the oil painting teacher that has had the greatest impact on my painting skills.  He has often been referred to as a modern-day Rembrandt because of the depth and radiance of his paintings and is truly one of the greatest artists of our time.  I have had multiple opportunities to paint in his classes while he expanded my understanding of light, atmosphere and texture that are so essential to giving life to the canvas.

 

Other artists with whom I have studied through workshops include Ray Kinstler, Daniel Greene, Nelson Shanks, Sherrie McGraw, Peggy Baumgartner, Tony Van Haslet and Robert Watts.  Their influences are gratefully acknowledged.

 

Shows/Awards

 

2010 Salon International Show
2009 Portrait Society of America, Members Showcase	Honorable Mention
2009 Oil Painters of America, Western Regional Show
2009 Learning and Product Expo Show, Pasadena	Grand Prize
2009 CCAA Gold Show	Best of Show
2009 Associated Artist of the Inland Empire	First place  - oil painting
2008 Portrait Society of America, Members Showcase	Third Place
2008 Oil Painters of America Western Regional Show
2008 Associated Artist of the Inland Empire	Best of show &
	First place  - oil painting
2008 Richeson75 International Small Works Show	First place - drawing
2008 Chaffey Community Art Association	Second place - drawing
	Second place - oil painting
2007 Associated Artists of the Inland Empire Show	People’s Choice Award
2007 Richeson75 International Figure/Portrait Show	Finalist
2007 Chaffey Community Art Association Show	First place - drawing
2006 Burbank Learning and Product Expo Show	First place   - oil painting

 

Publications

 

American Artist July/August 2010,  “Winners of the 2010 Cover Competition”

Art of the Portrait - Journal of the Portrait Society of America 2009 Vol. XI #45

Art of the Portrait - Journal of the Portrait Society of America 2008 Vol. X  #42

Ensign Magazine Vol. 16 #9

 

Personal History

 

I was born Washington D. C., but grew up in Southern California.  One if my first memories of being an artist was in second grade when the teacher assigned the class to copy a picture of Santa Clause.  I was surprised when a crowd of students gathered around my desk to admire my drawing.  They were calling me an ‘artist’!  It was the first time I realized I could do something that many people could not do.  I went on to win awards throughout school including a high school scholarship for a figure drawing class at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.  This is where I was introduced to the thrill of working from a live model.  Even before that, my favorite drawing activity as a child was to copy the wonderful fashion drawings from the newspapers.  I am fascinated by the human figure and they continue to dominate my works now.

 

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from BYU and completed three years of art school at Brandeis Art Institute.  My professional career was temporarily put on hold while I raised five wonderful children with my husband Scott. They were enjoyable but wild years, a blur of activities. I had studied dance and music for most of my life and since my children were very ambitious in the areas of dance, music, and theatre, it was easier for me to ‘go with the flow’.  I found myself painting scenery, choreographing dance segments, playing in orchestras with them and sneaking in an art workshop here and there.  As I continued to study and learn along with my children, I felt like I was studying art and design as well. I found that art, music and dance, especially in the compositional aspects, meld into one pervasive medium. Now, after resuming my art career 3 years ago, I am excited to awake every morning eager for the opportunity to paint!