Artist Statement/Bio

When I was about three, I recognized that my favorite subject to draw was the family cat. A few decades later it is the same, with the addition of landscapes, mixed media, recycled materials, and projects featuring books and the occasional mural.

Originally from New York, I spent five formative years in Europe, two in Greece, then three divided between Paris for art school and England for my first year of college. At Virginia Commonwealth University I received a BFA in 1978. After graduation, I then migrated to upstate NY where I was hired as a resident artist in the schools painting murals. When the grant ended, I bought a van and traveled across the United States and Canada painting the unwinding scenery. Thus, my love for painting outdoors developed. 

Arriving in Durham in 1982, I worked as a freelance artist creating murals, portraits, illustrations, and instructing students in art. I have phased out commissioned artwork to work full-time as a fine artist. Painting by moonlight, helped me to free up the tight rendering that was often required in commissioned work. Excursions into the moon-lit outdoors have led to such fascinating adventures that I plan to continue painting by moon light indefinitely. 

Through my moon paintings, I was discovered by a publisher who produced my first book appropriately named Moon Book. Since then, Beau Soleil Press has published four art-gift books that center on my passion for animal welfare and land preservation. Also, every year I write, design and make fifty individualized handmade books of an annual edition that chronicles my artwork and adventures. 

The 25-year Handmade Book Series is the result of a convergence of events.  First, documenting art has changed completely.  After years as a career artist, I had mastered photographing my artwork with film. Almost overnight film was replaced with digital. Desiring something real that would not disappear into the ether, I decided to write about and print the jpegs in a book format.

Second, coordinating my wedding at age 54, I declared that if I survived the ordeal, I would create a project that documented my next 25-years as an artist. Voila, I started the 25-year Handmade Book Series. To date, I have completed Volumes I through XIIIwhich encapsulate the twists and turns of a life in the arts. The project consists of books of varying sizes and forms; the volumes chronicle every work of art I have made within each respective year. The series has provided me with a strong direction. Since 2008, every piece that I have created has been published, either as a manufactured book or in the 25-Year Handmade Book Series. 

My paintings can be found at NC Craft Gallery in Carrboro and Art Above Main in Burlington, NC. Along with original artwork from my books, three of the commercially published books and greeting cards are available there too. My studio/gallery and Mini-Museum is open by appointment. I volunteer with Independent Animal Rescue, and am a member of Orange County Artist Guild,  Durham Art Guild, Sierra Club and Eno River member. My artwork often features rescued strays.