I started drawing when, as a young girl, our family left farming in Illinois and came to Venice, California. Mom gave us kids pencil and crayons and put me in charge. Mom got some peace and quiet and I got a lot of practice drawing. When we moved back to farming, I began to paint the country side and the wonderful animals. Later our family returned to California where I met and married my husband, Eugene. When our children were old enough, I entered El Camino College and Long Beach State where I took all the art classes I could, taking a degree in education and art.
In 1971, I moved with my family to Felton, California, where we bought and operated a small cabin resort. Now that our son has taken over Fern River Resort, I have returned to my life long interest in painting.
I paint from life and from my photos; figurative, landscapes and portraiture, in mostly representational style, allowing color, light and form to lead me. I love the way light transforms nature, minute by minute and as it drifts through the trees, the whole scene changes. For years I painted water colors, but now I work mostly in acrylic on canvas. My challenge is to capture something that inspires me and hopefully others to see the beauty that is there, often choosing to depict what one might see while visiting Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas.
Examples of my work can be seen currently at following galleries and venues: Scotts Valley Artizans222-1 Mt. Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley, CA Xanadue Gallery http://www.xanadugallery.com/Art/SubjectGallery.asp?Inventory Category=3&Inventory Subject=14
My work was juried into the following shows and exhibitions.
Sincerely Yours Gallery, Boulder Creek, January to February, 2010
First Friday Art Tour: Le Salon, Santa Cruz, May to June, 2010
First Friday Art Tour: The Socks Shop, SantaCruz, June-July, 2010
ISAP - The 12th Annual International Society of Acrylic Painters, Held at the Santa Cruz Art League (Award) 2009
The Santa Cruz Open Studios 09 Art Tour
Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival 2009
Santa Cruz Art League Members Show, February-Mar 2009
Professional Associations: Signature Member of International Society of Acrylic Painters Art Instructor for The Scotts Valley Art Group Member Santa Cruz Art League Member Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County
