I was given the book, "The Story of Art," by Ariane Ruskin for my 8th Birthday. Though I was young, I remember enjoying the gift from my Grandparents immediately. I loved the colorful images of the paintings, finding my favorites, and staring at them again and again. It's not hard to see why the beautiful paintings (most from the National Gallery of Art), by Boucher, Chardin, Gainsborough, and Renoir would capture my attention. Coming from a family of artists, it did not take much for me to find interest in picking up a pencil to draw or joining my mother while she painted. There was never a question as to what I was most interested in, or what I was going to study in College. It would be art and art history.

I am drawn to Early American and European art, paintings which capture the elegance and beauty, as well as the rustic everyday life of a time past. As an artist, the traditional still life is what interests me and challenges me the most. I am a collector of antiques and collectibles. I love bringing these objects together, adding fruits, and fabrics to create my still life composition. I would like to think that the paintings I paint are an extension of your home, the interests you have, or adds to the feeling of a room you have created. In order to paint a still life, there are many elements to think about, the composition, the way the light effects the objects and materials, the textures and colors. I think about a theme, a mood and or feeling a painting should have. It's a wonderful challenge and very exciting as an artist.

Landscape painting is something I began a few years ago after doing studio work. I enjoy being outdoors, being in the elements, and creating a painting you want to be a part of. I look at this as a remembrance of nature, whether it be the beauty of mountains, trees, or ocean. I think I have more freedom painting landscapes, choosing the colors, pushing the light and darks, moving the color around, it allows for a looser style. But, there is a great challenge learning how to capture the light of the day and getting the mood right!

I look forward to taking more painting workshops, studying and learning how to become a better painter. I want to better understand, and apply the little nuances that make a painting pop, dazzle and excite the viewer.

You may contact me by email or my studio number, under "Contact the Artist." Thank you.