About me.
I’ve been blessed to use my creative talent to earn a living from my art. My variety of skills has allowed me to use my experience ranging from mural and faux painting, lettering and sign painting, illustration and fine art painting on multiple surfaces. As I approached 60, I put aside painting subjects suggested by other people. This conscious decision has allowed me to fully enjoy the process of painting. I relish painting ordinary objects, animals, and people.
Currently, I’m focused on a series of acrylic paintings of shoes, artist tools, and our very expressive cats, Atticus Finch and Kevin Bacon who both provide a daily dose of amusement. I have a long list of other images I want to paint after I feel I’m done with shoes and tools. I think my choices of vibrant color with unexpected details to explore, elevate the ordinary to extraordinary.
I occasionally have inquiries about commissions and will consider them, but most of the time I hesitate to paint someone else’s vision. When attempting to interpret a subject in my style that pleases both myself and the other person, I can easily lose sight of what truly gives me my joy in painting.
I was very proud in 2012 when I graduated with a BA in Art from Cal State Long Beach. Because of my experience with drawing and illustration, I chose to focus on textiles and surface pattern design. But painting will always be my passion. I was the first in my family to earn my bachelors degree and Mom was there with hugs and a big smile.
Being in the right place at the right time can be important. For instance after moving to California, I joined Toastmasters (something totally new to me) and one of my first projects came from another member’s suggestion. This led to work creating black and white drawings to be used for rubber stamps and eventually illustrating articles for that same company. They now publish 5 or 6 well known magazines for artists and creators. Speaking at Toastmaster meetings about what work I’d done and what kind of projects I would like to do, landed me this opportunity.
Whether wise or unwise, I say “Yes”- even to projects I’ve never tried, which can definitely cause some very real anxiety. But it also has helped me grow and try new things.
I’ve found that references, word of mouth, spending time with other creative people, doing some self promotion and articles like this help me step out of my comfort zone and is part of my success. In other words, Be Brave!
Currently, I’m focused on a series of acrylic paintings of shoes, artist tools, and our very expressive cats, Atticus Finch and Kevin Bacon who both provide a daily dose of amusement. I have a long list of other images I want to paint after I feel I’m done with shoes and tools. I think my choices of vibrant color with unexpected details to explore, elevate the ordinary to extraordinary.
I occasionally have inquiries about commissions and will consider them, but most of the time I hesitate to paint someone else’s vision. When attempting to interpret a subject in my style that pleases both myself and the other person, I can easily lose sight of what truly gives me my joy in painting.
I was very proud in 2012 when I graduated with a BA in Art from Cal State Long Beach. Because of my experience with drawing and illustration, I chose to focus on textiles and surface pattern design. But painting will always be my passion. I was the first in my family to earn my bachelors degree and Mom was there with hugs and a big smile.
Being in the right place at the right time can be important. For instance after moving to California, I joined Toastmasters (something totally new to me) and one of my first projects came from another member’s suggestion. This led to work creating black and white drawings to be used for rubber stamps and eventually illustrating articles for that same company. They now publish 5 or 6 well known magazines for artists and creators. Speaking at Toastmaster meetings about what work I’d done and what kind of projects I would like to do, landed me this opportunity.
Whether wise or unwise, I say “Yes”- even to projects I’ve never tried, which can definitely cause some very real anxiety. But it also has helped me grow and try new things.
I’ve found that references, word of mouth, spending time with other creative people, doing some self promotion and articles like this help me step out of my comfort zone and is part of my success. In other words, Be Brave!
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Thanks for your interest in my work!
Be sure to check out my work on Instagram & Facebook
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