Artist Statement

I am an abstract, mixed media artist whose work includes painting, drawing, and objects. With a background in science and the fine arts, I explore internal and external landscapes, as found in the psychological terrain of self and the beauty of our embattled Earth. Precious and humble materials are juxtaposed, echoing duality and life journeys. I work intuitively and employ whatever helps me realize my vision – paint, ink, crayon, found objects, memories, emotions, and dreams. I use saturated colors, invent unique textures, and flesh out the imagery that my mark-making suggests. Figures seem to emerge spontaneously.

Intensely curious about almost everything, I study nature, architecture, poetry, spiritualism, and psychology. Just as curiosity is a pillar of my art, so is imagination - a pink ocean or a monster perched on a beachball does not seem farfetched. I pretend that I can miniaturize myself and walk through my paintings. I agree with Picasso who said that it is essential for artists to keep alive the child inside of us.

As I place the first mark on the surface of my piece, a visual conversation begins. Seeming to develop a voice of its own, the artwork comes alive because colors, lines, and shapes interact. Although I manage that interaction, I cannot control too much, or the piece will lose its honesty and vitality.

Making art is also physical for me, and mind-body connections become part of the work. I build and excavate, physically and metaphorically. If I have listened to and observed the work carefully, it becomes finished when there is a complete statement, a visual poem that is born from a partnership among my heart, mind, and soul.

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Biography

I grew up in the Chicago area, attended college in Wisconsin, and moved to New York City in 1971. I hold a BA in Art from Beloit College, an MA in Art Education from New York University, and an MA in Organizational Dynamics from UPenn. Additionally, I studied at the Art Students League of New York, Penland School of Crafts (NC), Greenwich House Pottery (NYC), the 92nd Street Y(NYC), the Bianca Lopez Studio of Jewelry Art and Design (NYC), Parsons School of Design (NYC), and the School of Visual Arts (NYC).

In 2020 I moved from New York City to Kendal-Crosslands, a Quaker retirement community in Kennett Square, PA. For my first three years in Pennsylvania, my studio was in Chadds Ford. In 2023, I was invited to become a studio artist at the Delaware Contemporary Museum in Wilmington.

My career was spent as a teacher and leader in private school education in NYC. I taught painting, printmaking, drawing, architecture, sculpture, book illustration, mixed media, and art appreciation to children in grades 5-12 from 1976 to 2012, when I retired. Since then, I have devoted myself to my art.

Community is also important to me. I serve as a mentor to younger artists and have been a board member of many organizations including Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden (Staten Island, NY), SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths), NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools), and the CRA (Crosslands Residents Association). Since moving to Pennsylvania, I have shown my work widely and become active in the arts communities of both Chester County, PA, and Wilmington, DE.

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Academic Degrees

B.A., Fine Arts and Biology, Beloit College, Beloit, WI, 1971
M.A., Art Education, New York University, 1976
M.S., Organizational Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, 2013

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Additional Studies in Art

Art Students League of New York
Penland School of Crafts (under Attai Chen, Anne Fiala, Nicole Jacquard)
Greenwich House Pottery
92nd Street Y (under Peter Bonner, Eric Hibit, Susan Kasson Sloan)
Bianca Lopez Studio of Jewelry Art and Design
Parsons School of Design
School of Visual Arts (SVA)

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Selected Exhibitions

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Solo

2024
Solo Show, Hatch Gallery, Delaware Contemporary Museum, Wilmington, DE

Solo Show, Art Space, Siegel JCC, Wilmington, DE

Solo Show, Crosslands Gallery, Kennett Square, PA
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Group

2024
The Delaware Contemporary Museum, Wilmington, DE
Coca Gallery, Greenville, DE

2023
Gifted, The Art Trust, West Chester, PA

Coca Gallery, Greenville, DE

Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Wilmington, DE

Escape, Hatch Gallery, The Delaware Contemporary Museum, Wilmington, DE

2022
Coca Gallery, Greenville, DE

2021
Coca Gallery, Greenville, DE

Blue Streak Gallery, Wilmington, DE

2020
Vanishing, THIS Gallery, online exhibition

2019
William Ris Gallery, Jamesport, NY

92nd Street Y, NYC

2018
VSOP Gallery, Greenport, NY

2016
Christopher 19, Greenwich Village, NYC

2015
Deka Jewelry, Greenwich Village, NY

Oratorio di San Rocco, Padua, Italy

2014
The Bianca Lopez Studio of Jewelry Art and Design, NYC

2013
South Street Gallery, Greenport, NY

Artists@Waterside, NYC

2010
East End Arts Council, Riverhead, NY

2009
Claw Flower, Greenport, NY

Delaney Cooke Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY

E Street Gallery, Greenport, NY

1994
Connecticut Pastel Society

Pastel Society of America, National Arts Club, NYC

1993
Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, S.I., NY

1990
Lively Earth Studio, NYC

1984
Sebastien-Moore Gallery, Denver, CO

1973
Art Students League Gallery, NYC

1971
Beloit College Gallery, Beloit, WI

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Other

2020 - 2023
Chester County Studio Tour, Chadds Ford, PA

2002 - 2012
Staten Island Academy, S.I., NY

1989-1991
Woodward Park School, Brooklyn, NY