Artist's Statement

Born in Washington, D.C., I have lived and worked in D.C., Maryland and Virginia for my entire life.  So it’s no surprise that my subject matter is often landscapes of Washington, D.C. and Virginia.  Other favorite subjects are horses, birds, and the human figure.  I have traveled around the globe, but I find inspiration by simply looking at the world around me.

For many years I worked as a civilian attorney for the United States Department of the Navy.  I am now retired from the Government and I focus on creating my own art.  I currently maintain a studio in my home in McLean, Virginia.  I am also an active member of several local art groups.

I have exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions and have won two awards.  I am a member of the Art League in Old Town, Alexandria and I sell work through the Art League Gallery.

Education:

I have a B.A. in English from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, a graduate degree from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and a law degree from George Mason University.  My art education has continued throughout my life.  I have taken many classes and workshops from both local and nationally recognized art teachers.

Statement About Her Work:

Sometimes I work in a realistic or representational manner and sometimes I work abstractly.  I never feel compelled to render a scene or a person exactly as it may appear.  I prefer an experimental approach and I use what I see only as a starting point.  My goal is to create beautiful, or at least interesting, artworks that engage a viewer.  I prefer works with a bit of ambiguity, so that the viewer can use his or her imagination and interpret the work in a unique way.

I usually begin by using either watercolor or acrylics, on paper or board, layering colors from light to dark.  I also frequently work with ink, charcoal, and oil to create a textured, more complex surface.  Sometimes I will use all of the above in the same work.  Like most people, I love color, but I am more interested in value, composition, and texture than simply pure color.  I always start with a plan, but I’m willing to change course if something interesting should occur, either on my work surface or in my head.