• Artsy
I am a collage and mixed media artist. I began studying art about 15 years ago, while working full time as Director of a program for individuals with mental health and other challenges seeking employment. I took advantage of the excellent teachers in my own backyard. Mixed media and collage became my passion. Collage making is like solving a puzzle: the pieces and elements have to fit together to make an image that works. It’s always a thrill when I feel like I hit the right combination. I use bright, vivid colors that resonate with me and draws the attention of the viewer. Composition is paramount and I most often use rectangular shapes and strong angles that overlap and intersect each other.In my photo collages I often raise sections of the piece giving the work a 3-dimensional quality. I work on a small scale, the largest pieces being 11 x 14, with much time devoted to little details.
My collages have a definite sense of playfulness. In one series, I used museum guides with bright colors and glossy paper that I used to create galleries in my own fantasy art museums. My work has been nostalgic, creating memory collages on personal themes such as my parents’ honeymoon in Atlantic City or my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I also create assemblages in boxes containing altered objects combined in unexpected ways. I use themes having personal significance including physical wellbeing and sewing, and tea drinking. I always leave the top of the box, slightly ajar, to invite the viewer in to see what’s inside.
While looking at one of my pieces at a recent show, a patron commented that she really couldn’t tell that the scene had been created although she said she knew that the buildings in the piece were not really near each other. Success!
1973
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling
1971
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
B.A., English
C.P.R.P., Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Professional
C.R.C., Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Classes since 2003
Fantasy Collage, Leah MacDonald, 2016
Photography, Rich Dunoff
Art of Collage, Andrea Snyder, 4 years
Art of Collage, Francine Shore, 2 semesters
Printmaking, Christine Stoughton, 2 semesters
Drawing and Oil Painting, Henry Martin
2011 - 2013
Mixed Media and Collage Techniques, Nancy Barch
Private, Temple Off Broad
Mixed Media Collage
Private, Canadian Coast
Mixed Media
Da Vinci Art Alliance
InLiquid
Main Line Art Center
Philadelphia/Tri-State Artists Equity
Philadelphia CollageWorks
2020
Honorable Mention, Philadelphia, Tri-State Artists Equity Spring Show, Online Exhibition
Juror: Bridgette Mayer
2019
First Place in Photography, APAC Annual Show, Avalon, NJ
2018
First Place, Mixed Media, APAC Art Show, Avalon, NJ
2015
Honorable Mention, Beauty Gallery, Newtown Square, PA
2014
Grant Recipient, to provide 10 "Recovery Through Collage" workshops to mental health programs around Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health
Merit Award, Spring Show, Delaware Valley Art League, Valley Forge, PA
2013
Judge's Choice Award, Gladwyne Library League Art Show, Gladwyne, PA
2012
Gilbert Printing Services Award, Member Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
2021
Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Upcoming
2020
Artists Equity Fall Show Unstoppable, Cheltenham Arts Center, Cheltenham, PA
2020 Online International Winter Exhibition, the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild, San Diego, CA
A Human Story, juried photography show, Art League of Ocean City Center for the Arts, MD
Juror: Greg Poulos
Open Lens VI, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Ron Tarver
2019
Composition in Concert, International House, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Bill Timmins
2018
Avalon Performing Arts Council (APAC) Art Show, Avalon, NJ
Jurors: Ruth Snyderman, Claire Haik, Monica Zane
Works on Paper, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Moe Brooker
2017
Spring Gala Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Juror: Ekaterina Popova
2016
Daylesford Abbey Annual Show, Paoli, PA
Juror: Art Committee
2015
Aloft, Beauty Gallery, Newtown Square, PA
Juror: Madeleine Kelly
Daylesford Abbey Annual Show, Paoli, PA
Juror: Art Committee
2014
Artist's House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Juror: Tony Morinelli
Spring Show, Delaware Valley Art League, Valley Forge, PA
Juror: Garth Herrick
2012
Member's Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Juror: Robert Cozzolino
2017
Chester County Art Studio Tour, Downingtown, PA
Juror: Jeff Schaller
2016
Chester County Art Studio Tour, Downingtown, PA
Juror: Jeff Schaller
