Biography

 

I was born in Connecticut in a family of artists who began their art careers in their middle years.  I was privileged to learn oil painting with my mother and maternal grandfather and to see several aunts and uncles explore pottery, sumi-e, antique painting repair and water color. Art was always important and I attended many exhibits as a child.

 

Upon graduating from the University of Rhode Island, I moved to Southern California and began a 25 year career in public education as a teacher, counselor and educational presenter for the state.

 

During these years I completed two masters degrees in education and counseling.  I took art courses to balance my academic life.  These included drawing – figure, landscape, still life, and pottery and photography.

 

In 1986 I back packed in China and fell in love with the people, scenery and art.  Upon my return to my home near the Claremont Colleges, I found a Chinese Brush Painting teacher, Lynn Woodword, and took classes with her until 1990.

 

In 1990 I left public education and opened my own private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. With more time to practice my art I began taking classes with Ning Yeh, a master Chinese Brush artist in Huntington Beach, California. My interest in painting widened and deepened with his gentle, humorous and philosophical method of teaching.  I continued to study with Ning Yeh until 2004, except for three years when my husband and I lived in Georgia.

 

My husband Gil and I moved to Hot Springs Village in October of 2004 and I have been blessed with the time to paint and wonderful artists in Hot Springs Village for support and encouragement.

 

I admire the spontaneity and tranquility of Chinese paintings.  I have a deep love of nature and use my walks in the woods and kayaking on the HSV lakes as means of connection and inspiration. Chinese Brush Painting lends itself to the exploration and discovery of the unique beauty of flowers and conveys this in a simple and elegant manner.

 

Through the years I have experimented with a variety of Chinese rice papers including shuen, Ma, dragon cloud, Pi and glass.  Each has its own beauty and challenges.  My paintings include florals, landscapes and figures.  They encourage the viewer to relate to the scene and sense the unique quality and essence of the subject.  Many viewers report feeling a sense of peace and tranquility.

 

For more information about Chinese Brush Painting please see “Artist’s Statement and description of the work and process and the four Gentlemen.”

 

In 2006 I began teaching Chinese Brush painting and found that sharing my love of painting was a joy and an inspiration.  I started with a beginner’s class and now have added an intermediate class for more experienced students.  I teach the basic brush strokes for beginners and move on to more detailed and complex compositions in the intermediate class.  Mounting techniques are a part of the instruction.

I believe that teaching is the most enjoyable method of sharing my love of Chinese Brush Painting and nature.

 

My paintings have won awards including: A page in the Arkansas Artist Engagement Calendar by the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association and the Governor’s Mansion Association Exhibit; The Mid America Museum Exhibit, third prize; Malvern National Bank exhibits, first, third and forth prizes; Traditional Arts League; first, second and honorable mention; Saline County Exhibit, first prize florals; Brush Strokes Exhibit, third prize.

 

For more information about exhibits and awards see Exhibits and awards

 

I am a member of the Brush Strokes Hot Springs Village Art Club.

 

My paintings are on display at the Artists Workshop Gallery at 610 Central, in Hot Springs.  My work can also be seen at specific exhibits at the Garland County Library, Garvan Gardens,  Woodlands Auditorium Lobby and Wells Fargo Bank in Hot Springs Village.

 

For more information about specific exhibits please see Exhibits and awards for times and locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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