Artist Statement:

As an artist, I am influenced as much by certain writers–––especially George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis–– as I am by great visual artists because they help me understand the deeper purpose of the arts.  Lewis speaks of nature being “only the first sketch” of a greater glory.   It is that greater glory that I see in the ordinary world around me and that is what I hope to communicate to the viewer.  Whether in an old bearded gentleman with character wrinkles or in the white light patterns on the deep green grass, I see the glory of God everywhere.    I am captivated by the ordinary man, the simple little house, the rugged oak, the curly hair of a spaniel, the white explosion of a cumulous cloud.  Nothing is insignificant.

Although I work with various mediums, I find myself coming back again and again to pastel—both soft and oil pastel.   The medium allows me to build map-like patterns of design that can be layered to create the texture, value, and color that I’m after.  Pastel is especially valuable for my plein air studies that often lead to more finished work. It is portable and immediate and can be used on colored sanded boards or papers.

I also love oils––the rich color, the creamy texture––and working in pastels has helped me simplify the oil painting process.   Both pastel and oil allow me to work from dark to light, building the underlying abstract patterns of values that create more dramatic realistic or impressionistic works.  

 Bio--in brief:

            I have had a love affair with the arts since childhood.   I have been influenced by the great masters of the past and the disciplined artists of the present. I believe that beauty is a reflection of the Creator, and the visual arts and language arts bring me to a greater appreciation of the grace of God.

             Since moving to Charlotte, NC, in 1994, I have been teaching visual arts to both children and adults.   I am also actively involved in Mint Hill Arts and continue to paint with a passion for beauty and a thirst for excellence.

More detail:

            I am reveling in doing what I’ve longed to do from early childhood up.  Having grown up in the small town in SC, I spent my childhood collecting scraps of siblings’ discarded homework paper so that I could draw.  One of my cherished Christmas gifts was a John Gnagy “learn to draw” set that had real sketch paper and pencils.  Until college, that was my only access to art lessons.

            Because I have a love for both the language arts and visual arts, I majored in English and minored in art at Bryan College in Dayton, TN, then obtained an MA degree at Clemson University. That choice opened doors of opportunity for me to teach at Christ’s College in Taiwan.  My interest in missions ministry led to my meeting my husband and together we served for eight years in Taiwan where I was privileged to also study Chinese watercolor painting.

            God blessed us with three sons. Raising children then became my focus and that led to home schooling, an adventure that was life-changing for us all.  Still passionate about art, I wanted my children and other homeschoolers to have opportunities that I lacked as a child. I wanted to feed their souls with Beauty and Truth through the arts.  So a small art class that began in 1994 for homeschoolers has now blossomed into a full-time job for me and has grown to include other children and adults as well.

What's happening now?

            I stay busy at my studio, both painting and teaching regular classes and  workshops.  I also continue to be  actively involved in painting, teaching, and working with The Mint Hill Arts Fine Arts and Crafts Center in Mint Hill, NC.    

             Although I haven't abandoned my love for oils and acrylics, I've been concentrating on oil pastel lately.  I'm excited about such a  portable medium that gives me the feel of drawing with the look of paint. The more I use oil pastel, the more I love it. 

            I continue to paint plein air on my own, but also have joined area artists for a paint out with Scott Boyle which I hope to continue to do each month. 

            My work is currently being shown at The Gallery at Mint Hill Arts,  in the Piedmont Pastel Society of Charlotte’s  juried show at Queen’s College, at BB & T in Mint Hill, NC, and later this month at the Art Walk in downtown Concord, NC.  Check my events page for details. 

ART ASSOCIATIONS:

Mint Hill Arts

Piedmont Pastel Society

Oil Painters of America, Associate member

Oil Pastel Society

EXHIBITIONS:

 “Artists on Parade”, Mint Hill, NC,  '06,    '07

“Artists Crawl” Concord, NC  '07

“Art  on the Square”, Abbeville, SC  '07

 “Grand Opening Show”  Mint Hill Gallery, Mint Hill, NC  '07

“MAG Winter Show”  Matthews, NC   '08

“April Showers Bring ---Watercolors”  Mint Hill, NC   '08

“Art in the Family,” Mint Hill, NC  '08

"Celebrating the American Experience" --Mooresville NC,  '08

"Lights and Brights,"  Mint Hill, NC  ' 08

"The Art of Learning," Mint Hill, NC  ' 08

Cabarrus Art Guild Juried Exhibition, Concord,  NC,  '08

Oil Pastel Society, member show, national online, 'o8

BB & T Exhibit,  Mint Hill, NC, ‘08

Piedmont Pastel Society, Juried Exhibition, Queens University, Charlotte,  NC '08

Art Walk, Concord, NC ‘08