My paintings are a means of connecting – to fond memories of my past, to feelings I’m trying to understand or reconcile, to moments I don’t want to lose, to my dreams and aspirations, and to people, places, and things that inspire me and have formed the essence of who I am.
Started drawing as a kid – was fascinated with comic books and fantasy. Would sit for hours trying to replicate Frank Frazetta covers. Drawing meant escape – was turned on by things I couldn’t see, places I haven’t gone to, places that didn’t exist - the "unattainable". Would get so engrossed in drawing my Mother would say, “the house could be burning and you wouldn’t even know it.”
Now, it’s the little things around me that draw me to the easel. When I lived away from "home" in Houston a number of years ago, everything was new - loved the Indian paint brushes, blue bonnets, and other Texas wildflowers. I'd comment, “they don’t have wildflowers like this in PA.” When I moved home, I started to see things through a different perspective. Sure, there are wildflowers – a field loaded with dandelions or crown vetch is beautiful – I just hadn’t truly seen them before. Striving to capture those fleeting moments when I’m fully tuned in to the beauty around me is why I paint.
I'm self taught. I'm a member of the Board of Directors and an Elected Member of the Allied Artists of America; an Elected Member of the American Artists Professional League, a member of the Berks Art Alliance, The Portrait Society of America, and NAOAPS, and a Signature member of the Hudson Valley Art Association. My work has won numerous awards and been featured in numerous magazines.
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Membership:
Allied Artists of America – Elected Member, Board of Directors
American Artists Professional League – Elected Member
Berks Art Alliance
Hudson Valley Art Association (HVAA) – Signature Member
National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society
Portrait Society of America
Shows:
Solo Show – “Delicate Brilliance” - Penn State Fryberger Gallery – 2019
Numerous Group Shows – Allentown Art Museum, Allied Artists, Art of the State of Pennsylvania, Hudson Valley Art Association, Penn State Fryberger Gallery, Salmagundi Club, SOHO Gallery, The American Artists Professional League, The Goggleworks, The Woodmere Museum, Veridian Artists Gallery
Awards:
Allied Artists – The Butler Institute of American Art Award (2021), Award Winner – Associate On-line Competition (2017), Aileen and Manuel De Torres Award For Still Life (2015)
American Artists Professional League – 1st Place – Associate Artist Members On-Line Show (2024)
Art of the State of Pennsylvania – 2nd Place – Painting (2023)
Berks Art Alliance – Top Prize – 1st Place (2023), Honorable Mention (2022), Berks Poster Competition Winner (2021), Sponsor’s Award (2019), Award of Merit 1 (2009), People’s Choice Award (2009)
Hudson Valley Art Association – The Jen Peterson Memorial Award for Still Life (2018)
International Artist Magazine – Still Life Competition Finalist (2017), 3rd Place Floral Still Life Competition (2009)
The Artist’s Magazine competition – 10-time finalist
The Portrait Society of America – Members Only Competition – Finalist Still Life (2020), 10th Place Still Life (2016), 5th Merit Award Still Life (2015), 3rd Honorable Mention OTB (2015), 3rd Merit Award Still Life (2014)
Press/Other:
Subject of 5 articles in The Reading Eagle Newspaper and various other newspapers
Berks County Television – NAP Connection Show Interview with art critic Ron Shira (2019)
International Artist Magazine feature article (2011 – Issue #77)
Merchandize – Cobble Hill jigsaw puzzle, Airgas holiday cards, Peltz Promotions championship boxing program cover.
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