Artist Statement
I work in both encaustic paintings on wood and mixed media pieces on paper. Some unifying elements that interest me are: geometric and spatial illusion, the press and pull of shallow abstract space, and the symbolic use of color, line and shape to convey specific emotional states.
In terms of subject matter, I attempt to create an abstract composition that reveals my personal point of view on a given topic. For instance, one composition is entitled, “Once Upon A Time”. This piece is about the innocence, humor, wonder, and excitement inherent in a well-told fairy tale. The title gives a clue that encourages the viewer to look to his/her own personal memories and references to decode the abstract symbolism created by color, line, and shape within the composition.
I believe that using abstraction in a composition is the most direct way to communicate emotion. After all, emotions are abstract, too. I think we have a visceral response to certain abstract relationships, such as color, that stir our memories and experiences. In my opinion, truly great art is a vehicle that invites the viewer to learn about him/herself in the vicarious process of looking and owning as he/she makes personal connections to the work.
Education
2008 | Standard Cerifiicate, ESL |
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ | |
1982 | Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics |
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA | |
1972 | Bachelor of Science, Art Education |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA |
Residencies, Workshops & Other Education
2004 | R&F Handmade Paints, Workshop, Kingston. NY |
2003 | Printmaking Council of New Jersey, Classes, Branchburg, NJ (2003-08) |
2001 | The Newark Museum, Classes, Newark, NJ (2001-04) |
Zimmerli Art Museum, Classes, New Brunswick, NJ (2001-04) | |
Truro Art Center, Class, Truro, MA | |
1998 | Hands and Minds Institute, Workshop, Lawrenceville, NJ |
1997 | Greenwich House Pottery, Workshops, New York, NY (1997-02) |
1996 | College of Leeds, Classes, Leeds, UK |
1992 | Vermont Studio Center, Residency, Johnson, VT, (1992,1996) |
1987 | New York Feminist Art Institute, Classes, New York, NY, (1987-91) |
New School, Classes, New York, NY (1987-88) | |
1985 | Rutgers University, Class, New Brunswick, NJ |
1979 | University of Florida, Classes, Gaineville, FL |
1978 | Pittsburgh Center for Art, Classes, Pittsburgh, PA |
1975 | School of Visual Arts, Classes, New York, NY |
1972 | University of Massachusetts, Classes, Amherst, MA, (1972-74) |
Exhibitions
2011 | Recent Work, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
Buck Art, Lotus Studios, Highland Park, NJ | |
Window Art for Highland Park, 2011, Storefrons, Highland Park, NJ | |
Open Studios, 2011, Highland Park, NJ | |
2010 | The Love Show, Lotus Studios, Highland Park, NJ |
Window Art for Highland Park, 2010, Storefront, Highland Park, NJ | |
2009 | Mixed Media, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
2008 | Watercolors, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
2007 | Handmade Books, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ |
2005 | War and Peace Show, I.M. Pottery, Highland Park, NJ |
Faculty Show, Rutgers Preparatory School, Somerset, NJ | |
2004 | On the Path, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ,Solo |
2003 | Recent Watercolors, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
2002 | Watercolors, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
2001 | Wish You Were Here, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ, Solo |
2000 | SmallWorks, WPA Gallery, Princeton, NJ, Honorable Mention (also 1997,1996,1994,1993-Juror’s |
Award, 1991,1990,1989) | |
1998 | Artists On Manning, 2204 Manning Street, Philadelphia, PA |
1997 | 1997 Alumni Reunion Exhibition, Indiand University of PA, Indiana, PA |
National Drawing Exhibition, Trenton State College, Trenton, NJ | |
1995 | Deep Dispapointments/Sisters and Sorrow (two-person),Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ |
The Shrine, WPA Gallery, Princeton, NJ | |
Highland Park Artists, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, NJ | |
Highland Park Artists, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ | |
1994 | Members Exhibit, Aljira, Newark, NJ |
National Drawing Exhibititon, Trenton State Coleege, Trenton, NJ | |
1993 | Mortalities, WPA Gallery, Princeton, NJ, two-person |
Small Works, B.Beamesderfer Gallery, Highland Park, NJ | |
1992 | The Figure As Muse, Artworks, Trenton, NJ |
1991 | Ellarslie Open X, Trenton, NJ |
1990 | The Assembled Image, Stuart Country Day School, Princeton, NJ |
Having a Wonderful Time…, Barron Arts Center, Woodbridge, NJ | |
Juried Show ’90, NJ Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ (also ’87 Juried Show) | |
1989 | NJ Arts Annual: Clay & Glass, Newark Museum, Newark, NJ |
Mercer Couty Artist ’89, Mercer Community College, NJ | |
1987 | Visions of Eros and Distilled Spirits, Philip Stansbury Gallery, New York, NY |
1986 | Metro Show, City Without Walls, Newark, NJ |
The American Dream, Tweed Gallery, South Plainfield, NJ | |
1985 | Editorials, Montclair State College, NJ |
1984 | New Jersey Artists, Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ |
1982 | Terra Cottas, MFA Thesis Exhibit, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA, two-person |
1980 | Eros in the Embrace of Xerox, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA |
Publications
2007 | Local Artist Displays Books, The Home News, August 2. |
2003 | Painting Beats Practicing, Artist Decides, Highland Park Herald, Jan. 24, P. B1. |
2001 | Opposite Hand and Inner Eye, Highland Park Herald, P. A7 |
1989 | Crossing MythicalBoundaries, The Star Ledger, December 1. |
1993 | Drawings with Ideas Expressed in Personal Symbolism, The New York Times, P. 14. |
Collections
Federal Reserve Bank, Richmond,VA
Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ
Related Work History
2011 | Substitute Teacher, Source4Teachers, Highland Park, NJ |
2010 | ESL Teacher, Middlesex County College, New Brunswick, NJ, Part Time |
ESL Teacher, South Brunswick School District, South Brunswick, NJ (2008-2010), Full Time | |
2008 | ESL Teacher, New Brunswick Adult Learning Center, New Brunswick, NJ, Part Time |
2006 | ESL Teacher, Lincoln Middle School, Dunellen,NJ (2006-08), Part Time |
2005 | Art Teacher, Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Bridgewater, NJ, Part Time |
Art Teacher, Green Brook School District, Green Brook, NJ (Substitute), Full Time | |
2004 | Graduate Student (ESL), The College of New Jeresey, Ewing, NJ |
Art Teacher, Rutgers Preparatory School, Somerset, NJ (Substitute) ,Full Time | |
2001 | Art Teacher, Washington Community School, Plainfield, NJ (2001-03), FullTtime |
1998 | Art Teacher, Franklin Park Elementary School, Franklin Park, NJ (1998-2001), Full Time |
Other Teaching and Non-Teaching Experience
1997 | Art Teacher, Summer Arts Institute-2, Highland Park, NJ |
Art Teacher, Solomon Schechter Day School of Raritan Valley, East Brunswick, NJ, classes | |
Art Teacher, Senior/Youth Center, Highland Park, NJ, classes | |
1996 | Co-Director, Earth Keepers Camp, East Brunswick, NJ, summer camp |
1995 | Substitute Teacher, Highland Park School District, Highland Park, NJ (1995-98) |
Art Teacher, After-School Enrichment Program, Highland Schools, Highland Park, NJ (1995-98) | |
Art Teacher, Highland Park Public Library, Highland Park, classes | |
Private Art Tutor, Highland Park, NJ, (1995-98) | |
1994 | Sunday School Teacher, The Unitarian Society, East Brunswick, NJ, (1994-97, 2002-03) |
1992 | Art Teacher, Saturday Fun Program, Highland Park Schools, Highland Park, NJ, classes (1992-96) |
1991 | Framer/Gallery Assistant, B. Beamesderfer Gallery, Highand Park, NJ (1991-94) |
1983 | Art Curator, Dumont Landis Fine Art, (1983-89) |
Framer/Gallery Assistant, Old Queen’s Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ (1983-85, 1989-91) | |
1981 | Framer/Gallery Assistant, Art Works, Norfolk, VA (1981-83) |
1980 | Adjunct Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond,VA (1980-82) |
1978 | Framer/Gallery Assistant, FrameFactory, Gainesville, FL |
1977 | Framer, Miller Frame, Pittsburgh, PA |
1976 | Artist, Boehm Porceelain, Treton, NJ |
1974 | Art Teacher, Boy’s Club of Trenton (1974-76) |
Art Teacher and Summer Camp Director, YWCA, Princeton, NJ (1974-76) | |
1972 | Art Teacher, South End Community Center, Springfield, MA (1972-74) |
Substitute Teacher, Amherst, MA (1973-74) |