Artist’s Statement
To me, the act of painting is a reflection of my spiritual temperament. Most of the time, I strive for an atmosphere of worship and meditation, (Is it foolish to say that I just listen to the little voice in my head while I work?). God manifests his essence first in the natural world, then in the spiritual world; my feeble attempts are to portray his persona through mimicry of his natural creations and the results may be beautiful, sensual, exciting, or just simply funny.
As I think about the arts, particularly some of the music produced by today’s artists, much of it is so burdened with a cultural evil bent on “decivilization”, and whose small tentacles grow larger every day. Lest I seem like some doomsayer, I think that as a Christian artist, it is important for me to enlighten and inspire, as it is a reflection of God’s essence and grace. God is speaking through my art. Through the manipulation of modest and sometimes clumsy mortal media I attempt to communicate love, hope and joy by the images that represent the life cycle - birth, death and rebirth.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS [ top ]
* one person shows
- 2010 – “Artist Guild Annual Juried Exhibition”, Carolina Gallery, Spartanburg, SC.
- 2010* – “Hair of the Dog”, Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg, SC.
- 2008 – “Artist Guild Annual Juried Exhibition”, Spartanburg Art Museum, Spartanburg, SC.
- 2008 – Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
- 2006 – “Artist Guild Annual Juried Exhibition”, Milliken and Parsons Galleries, Spartanburg, SC.
- 2002 – “Alumni Art Exhibit”, Converse College, Milliken Gallery, Spartanburg, SC.
- 1996 – “Recent Work”, a two person show at Gallery 522, Spartanburg, SC
- 1992* – “Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut”, Milliken and Parsons Galleries, Spartanburg, SC.
- 1991* – “Obsession” Pfeiffer College, Misenheimer, North Carolina, (curator, J. Haymaker).
- 1991 – “Women in the 1990's”, Fridholm Fine Arts Gallery, Broadway Arts, Asheville, North Carolina.
- 1990* – “Recent Work”, Windows on Main”, Spartanburg, SC.
- 1989 – “Biennial Area Artist’s Exhibition”, The Upstairs Artspace, Tryon, North Carolina (juror, Eric Anderson)
AWARDS AND HONORS [ top ]
- Best of Show, 2010, “Artist Guild Annual Juried Exhibition”, Carolina Gallery, Spartanburg, SC.
- Grant Recipient 2006, Spartanburg Arts Partnership, Spartanburg, SC.
- Merit Award, 2006, “Artist Guild Annual Juried Exhibition”, Milliken and Parsons Galleries, Spartanburg, SC.
- Award of Distinction, 2002, National Council of State Garden Clubs, Spartanburg, SC
- Designer’s Choice Award, 2002, National Council of State Garden Clubs, Spartanburg, SC.
- Grant Recipient 1990, Spartanburg Arts Council, Spartanburg, SC.
- First Place Painting, 1981, Converse College Senior Art Show, Milliken Gallery, Spartanburg, SC, (jurors: art club).
- Greenwald Award, 1981, Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, (jurors: Henry Fagen, Judy Jones, Mayo Mac Boggs).
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS AND COMMISSIONS [ top ]
- "Dandelion," 2010, Painted Steel Sculpture, collection Mr. and Mrs. Bill Owens, Clinton, SC.
- "Monarch Caterpillar with Half-Eaten Plant," 2008, Painted Steel & Fiberglass Sculpture, Hatcher Gardens, Spartanburg, SC.
- “Hydrangea”, Painted Steel Sculpture, present commission, collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Miles, Spartanburg, SC.
- “Ladyslipper: Audrey III,” 2007, Painted Steel Sculpture, collection of the artist, Spartanburg, SC.
- “Elgar,” 2007, Painted Steel Sculpture, collection of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hudgins, Spartanburg, SC.
- “Magnified,” 2005, Painted Steel Sculpture, Happy Hollow Park, Spartanburg, SC.
- “The Immortal Turf,” 2004, Painted Steel Sculpture, Hatcher Gardens, Spartanburg, SC
TEACHING [ top ]
EDUCATION [ top ]
- 1981, B.F.A., Converse College, Spartanburg, SC.
- 2008, Penland School of Crafts Penland, NC, Repoussé, Marisela Gutierrez, Instructor.
- 2009, Penland School of Crafts Penland, NC, Skins and Armatures, Ledelle Moe, Instructor.
- 2010, Penland School of Crafts Penland, NC, Mosaic tile in Community, Carlos Alves, Instructor.