Biography
A Colorful Past
"You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore." Christopher Columbus
Growing up in New England gave me a love of natural beauty and grounded me with traditions for seasons of change. Travel to the west began a courageous journey toward how the arts can change your life. Participation in workshops in Yosemite, Art Associations, photo journeys, and entrance into "Timberline Gallery" in Oakhurst, CA was like "losing sight of the shore". You never know where you will land! Preparing for shows, juried exhibitions, writing grants for the Arts and eventually serving on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Watercolor Association and the Arizona Alliance for the Arts has been incredibly challenging and rewarding. My Midwest connections are in Kansas and include the Norton County Arts Council and the Main Street Arts Council in Hoxie, KS. Courage moves you forward. A colorful past makes your paintings that much more interesting! Giving back through the local arts community makes it all worth it.
Life Can Be a Collage
Travel produces incredible photographs that bring back journeys that find their way as a reference to a painting in one way or another. Watercolor is my main medium, but I have also created some acrylic works. My work can be seen at juried exhibitions with Arizona Watercolor Association (AWA), Arizona Art Alliance, Norton County Arts Council, the Dane G. Hanses Arts & Crafts Fair, and with the Main Street Arts Council in Hoxie, KS. A collage is where the artwork is made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. The transforming power of art also breathes new life into our lives from a collage of experiences. Collage works are a part of my new signature series, layering people, places, and favorite things into a varied juxtaposition of color, value, and creative background texture. The basis for these collages is limitless, and they connect images to a common theme. I also transfer the image of my paintings to Giclee Prints, matted and framed prints, and note cards.
Paintings, Note Cards, Commissions
Works range from traditional still life settings to landscapes including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, local western scenes, equestrian studies, flowers, and fishing scenes from Vermont where I fished with my grandfather. Water surrounded me most of my life, and I painted many scenes that included rivers, streams, and wildlife. Extensive hiking and boating have produced access to sketch several of my favorite scenes. I have had the privilege of illustrating 2 children's books. My notecards are becoming exceedingly popular. I have written notes for many years to friends and family. I inherited the love of writing from my Nana Eastman, and I plan to expand this part of my business in the future. Currently some of my originals and notecards are featured at Garden Gate Etc. in Norton, KS. I love to do commission work, so contact me! I look forward to the day when I can work full time as an artist, travel, and participate in and organize art workshops. The Journey to Studio III!