About me.
Artist Statement
My work is inspired by the use of gold in byzantine icons, medieval and Renaissance works, as well as contemporary painters of the last few centuries. I revel in using this traditional approach in my modern portraiture. As opposed to historical portraits, mine are not royalty but fictional characters from literature and musicals. The surrounding backgrounds were chosen from imagery relevant to each of their stories. They do have their own stories but viewers are encouraged to create their own narratives.
I am strongly influenced by intricate patterns used in the art nouveau and arts and crafts movements at the turn of the 20th century. I wanted to bring the added dimension of gold leaf to my work. Gold is luminous, reflective and precious. Light seems to emanate from within. Using gold gives these properties to my portraits and incorporating dimensional techniques provides another level of interest. I enjoy combining different styles from different periods in history, in this case NeoClassical painting and dimensional gilded backgrounds.
The portraits themselves are rendered in oils. I love the way this medium expresses its delicacy in an entirely different way than gold. Close observation of my sitters’ facial expressions, hair and patterns of dress provide an interesting contrast to the different layers of gold. My goal is to express myself through my art in an unexpected visual way, like using texture to bring a visual disruption to flat gold surfaces. I am looking forward to continuing to explore new mediums and experimental approaches in my art.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
The Compass Atelier, Master Artist Program (Class of 2023), Rockville, MD
Various watercolor classes (Montgomery College, Plaza Art, Private classes) throughout MD
EXHIBITIONS
2023 2nd Prize Mixed Media, Juried Members Spring Show, Rockville Art League, Glenview Mansion, Rockville, MD
2023 The Compass Atelier Master Artist Program 2023 Thesis Exhibit, The Strathmore Mansion , Rockville, MD
2023 Heart of Winter, Rockville Art League, Glenview Mansion, Rockville, MD
2023-2015 Resident Artist Show, Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville, MD
2022 Fine Art in Miniature Show, 89th Annual International Exhibition of the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society at Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MD
2022 OAA show, Benjamin Gaither Center, Gaithersburg, MD
2022 Compass Atelier MAP class group show, Lyceum Gallery, Sandy Spring, MD
2021 OAA juried show, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
2018 Olney Art Association (OAA) Exhibition at Brookside Gardens – juried show
2017 OAA juried show at Kentlands Mansion
2017 OAA juried exhibition at Sandy Spring Museum
2017 OAA exhibit at Ranazul Restaurant, Fulton, MD
2016 OAA juried Christmas show at Woodlawn Mansion
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Olney Art Association
OTHER
Riley Urban Sketching Group
Retired from 30+ year career in the biological, environmental and medical systems fields