Statement
    As an artist I am drawn to many subjects in nature and life that inspire me. My impressions vary from the play of light on a boat in the bay, to patterns and textures of a corn field, to the striking composition of clouds in the sky. One of my main goals is capturing the fleeting effects of sunlight on the world around us.

    My most recent work has been inspired by the local landscape. From Annapolis to Solomons Island to Point Lookout there are so many aspects of Southern Maryland that leave a lasting impression on me.

    My process begins by taking my “studio” out doors, painting en plein air, so that I can experience that which I am humbly trying to recreate on paper. I find that immersing myself in the outdoors somehow liberates my creativity. I paint exclusively with pastels, sticks of pure pigment, which enable me to produce vibrant and expressive pieces with strong color and a spontaneity not found in other mediums or from working in the studio.

BIO
    I was born and raised in Virginia and have been creating art all of my life. I was first recognized for my talent while in first grade, receiving an art award for a Thanksgiving scene. I have not stopped drawing or painting since.

    I followed my passion for art and received a degree from Tidewater Community College for Advertising Design with a minor in Drawing before attending Virginia Commonwealth University where I earned a BFA degree in Illustration. I have been working as an illustrator and graphic designer for 19 years.

It was not until I married and moved to Southern Maryland that I opened my home studio where I currently work full-time as a fine artist, and illustrator. My main focus is to paint, en plain air, the diverse and serene areas that we call home.

    I am a member of the Illustrators Club of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, the Society of Children's Book Illustrators, American Society of Marine Artist, and the Maryland Pastel Society.

Exhibitions and Galleries
    I have work in Gallery International, Baltimore, MD and Chesapeake Art & Frame, Prince Frederick, MD.

Selected exhibits and awards include;

• 2 Paintings Juried into the 2010 Susquehanna International Art Competition - River Art. A book of the exhibit will be on sale in early February
• 3 Paintings Juried into the 2010 Maryland Pastel Society Members Only Show, received the Gene Sparkman Memorial Award for "Retired"
• Juried into and participated in the 2010 Out & About Norfolk, received the “In the French Tradition” award for 'Under Over'
• Juried into and participated in the 2010 Havre de Grace Plein Air, received First Place Best Architectural Award for 'Freedom View'
• 2nd place in 2010 Plein Air Easton Quickdraw event
• 'Grand Entrance' painting sold to The Academy Art Museum's permanent collection
• First Place for 'Low Tide' at the 2010 Solomons Paint the Town quickdraw event
• Juried into and participated in the 2009 Paint Annapolis
• Juried into and participated in the 2009 Plein Air Easton
• 2009 Solomons Paint the Town — 3 awards — Best Use of Light and Best View of Annmarie Garden, as well as an honorable mention in the quickdraw event
• Juried into the 2008 Maryland Pastel Society’s 2008 Members Only Exhibit — Awarded an Honorable Mention
• 2008 Out & About Norfolk Paint Out and show — Awarded an honorable mention
• Juried into the 2008 Southeastern Pastel Society’s 13th Annual International Exhibit
• Juried into the 2007 Somerset Art Association juried pastel exhibit
• 2007 Out & About Norfolk Paint Out and show — Awarded the “In the French Tradition” award
• Juried into the 2007 Maryland Pastel Society National “Shades of Pastel”
• 2007 Gundpowder Falls Paint out and Show
• 2007 Riverbend Paint out and show