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)