My work is a series of animal portraits, the objective being to seek a voice for those who need to be heard. I started my focus on this subject after volunteering as an adoptions hostess at the Jacksonville Human Society in Florida. Recently volunteered at the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation clinic. I had the unique opportunity to work with wildlife up close and in person. Both experiences have given me awareness and a connection to the animals. I feel the need to somehow capture these unconditional open honest beings living amongst us. I aim to create an image for human viewers to share in my experience. My work intends to communicate emotion from the inside as it captures the subject and gives it a voice.
I have lived around art my whole life. My father was a painter, and my mother, who raised me is a sculptor. Both parents taught art in various institutions from college to elementary grades, and my mother was always my art teacher she still is today. I started drawing at a very young age and my family loved and encouraged it. I went on to study art in school. I received a BFA from the University of North Florida where I studied with Louise Freshman Brown. While I went on to earn a BFA I found I had a great interest in the Biological Sciences. By the time I finished my four-year degree I had a large amount of coursework in Biological Science as well as the credits for my BFA. After graduating college I worked as an artist, producing work, showing it regularly and selling it. My college credits in the Biological Sciences and in education allowed me to teach Comprehensive Science while earning my Professional Teaching certificate in Biology grades 6-12. With classroom discipline a problem, I returned to school to finish a Biotech degree that would allow me to work in a Lab. Unable to fit into a corporate setting life led me back to art. This time my heart is truly in it. I find purpose in giving a voice to animals both wild and domestic.
2010 - 2015
Professional Certificate in Biology (Grades 6-12)
2007- 2008
Florida Community College at Jacksonville Biotechnology Laboratory Technician (A. S. Degree)
2006-2007
Internship at the Mayo Clinic Neurology Research Department with Dr. Jada Lewis
2005-2010
Professional Certificate in Biology (Grades 6-12)
2004-2006
Temporary Educator’s Certificate in General Science (Grades 5-9)
2003
Participated in Transition into Teaching, a grant funded program put on by FCCJ and The Duval County Public Schools
1999
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
1993
Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Associate of Arts Degree
2007-2009
Biotechnology Technician Nucleic Assays Corporation
2007-2008
Student Lab Assistant fccj
2005-2006
Science Teacher (grades six through twelve), The Broach School, Westside Campus
2003-2005
Science Teacher (seventh and eighth grade), Highlands Middle School
Maintains Artist Studio in Jacksonville, Florida
2002
Assistant to Liz Burns, The Canvas Program, The Cultural Council
2000
Gallery Assistant, Pedestrian Gallery
2010-present
Volunteer at the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Volunteer at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
1994-1995
Volunteer, University of North Florida Child Development
Center (Teacher Assistant)
1993-1996
Volunteer Adoptions Hostess, Jacksonville Humane Society
2019
New Now III, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Art Ability Annual Exhibition
2018
Art Ability Annual Exhibition
2017
Art Ability Annual Exhibition
2016
Work for sale in Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education’s gift shop
Triennial Penn Charter Art Show
Songbird series, The Satellite Gallery, Asheville, NC
2014
Thanksgiving auction to benefit animal welfare - artwork donation
2013
Fall for the Arts Festival in Chestnut Hill 1st place in Drawing and Illustration
2002
Braids Auction - artwork donation
2001
Braids Auction - artwork donation
2000
Rape Advocacy Auction - artwork donation
1998
Illustrations for Campus Pamphlet on Domestic Violence
