No straight paths

It started with a plan: after I graduated with an art degree from DePauw University, I’d move from my hometown of Cincinnati to the never-before-seen Bay Area of California.  There, I’d get my masters in Art and teach to support my painting. It was an adventurous plan, and it didn’t foresee that I’d need job, and eventually meet the guy, and have the kids…. but 30 years later, I found my way back on the path to making art again!

I remembered the words of my art professor in my first college painting class “You have 100 bad paintings in you. Get them out so you can really start painting”.

When you allow yourself to fail, nothing is precious, and all is an exercise to learn. The pressure is off! But this time, I had a new influence in my work: California! With year-round weather to to go outside to paint, I had a wide variety of subject matter to work from directly. Before I knew it, I was hooked on “plein air” (painting outside.)

There are three things I hope you notice when you view my work: A sense of light because it’s my favorite thing to convey. Second: a considered composition that keeps you moving through it because it really is the most important part of a painting. And finally: that I’m game to try any subject, because I can! Living in San Jose, CA, I can drive an hour in any direction to get to the coast, farms, or the streets of San Francisco.  I also work out of Tahoe which opens up mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes. I love the challenge of every new subject.

What you can’t see is that I’m often out painting with some generous friends who share their favorite spots and lend great advice. Being part of this larger community leads me to believe that artists are all part of a continuum in advancing art. We all share this beauty of nature: may my work remind us of the importance of protecting our open spaces, clean air and clear water.