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Biography

In the last fifteen years I have taken many art classes and studied portrait painting through workshops by well known contemporary watercolor portrait artists. I have been especially influenced by Jan Kunz, Al Stine, and Carol Orr. I have also studied the work of Charles Reid and Roberta Carter Clark. 

The first time I really became excited about paintings and sculptures was on a summer European study tour when I was a student. I especially loved the paintings of Mary Cassatt, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh as well as the sculptures of Michelangelo. That trip had such an impact on me that five years later, I moved to Paris to study French art, culture and language. I lived there for fifteen months.

After returning to California, I taught high school science, math and French in Long Beach, California until volunteering for the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal, I taught science, math and English for two years in a small village in the eastern hills. I then joined the teacher training staff for two more years in Nepal. I was totally immersed in Nepali art, culture, religion and language for four years.
 

My paintings have changed considerably over the years. I began with a very realistic style while I was learning to draw and paint. Then my work gradually evolved to an abstract style of shapes and color. Now I'm back to painting in a rather realistic style again.



Currently, I'm painting plein air landscapes and seascapes such as this view from Bodega Head, California in oil. 

I'm also painting portraits in watercolor or oil. Through the years, I've enjoyed painting people very much. Portraits are such a challenge! Nothing is more difficult or more rewarding than catching a person's characteristic expression in a painting.