The very first and last art class I took in school was in the seventh grade where I was awarded a C for my efforts…apparently I didn’t follow directions well…always embellishing my artwork and going beyond the scope of the project. After that experience, I decided art in public school was not for me.
My mom began searching for another source of inspiration for me…bless my mom for that 
. There was a woman in our neighborhood who was a painter, and she taught at the local YMCA. I began taking oil painting lessons from her and was captivated immediately. Ann Brightwell was an excellent mentor, and to this day, I am thankful for the foundation in technique she taught me. Oddly enough, as much as I loved to paint, I never thought of it as a career path. So, I put my passion for the easel on the back burner and concentrated on marketing and graphic design being my day job.
In 2009, I was working as a marketing/design consultant for a large bank and was laid off. A few weeks later, I had an acute appendicitis attack that landed me in the hospital for five days. While that might sound like a pair of pretty negative things, it turned out to be the best thing EVER. Those two events slowed me down enough to think about what I really wanted to do going forward.
I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in 25 years, but my husband showed me a photo of our cats one day, and I absolutely loved the composition. Immediately, I had a vision in my head involving bright colors and sharp contrasts. That photo, the lay-off and my yucky appendix set everything in motion…
I adore animals and always have some array of dogs and cats underfoot. They are a constant source of amusement and keep me laughing all the time. To be able to combine my love for animals and the easel is very cool!
I love injecting humor and whimsy into my work and it is such a thrill when I see others smiling or even laughing out loud at my paintings.
When I was in college, I was captivated by a painting at a nearby art museum: “The River Seine at Chatou” by Andre Derain. I would go and sit in front of it every week. Something about the colors…It JUST made me feel good. No matter what my mood, when I looked at it, I smiled. When I left, I felt happy. My goal as an artist is to do for others what Derain did for me…to lighten a mood and bring a smile….a pretty top-knotch way to make a living in my book!
Photo below was taken by Robyn Arouty Photography. She is awesome! Check out her site for some very creative, edgy and artistic shots. You’ll love it!
Photo by Robyn Arouty Photography.
