My work combines the freedom of expression from a child’s view and creating peace within chaos. I work to find balance with paint, scribbles of pencil and oil pastel.
My obsession with abstract work is based on how it can communicate on a personal basis without the use of words. The titles always come after the painting is completed.
I still have the blue clay dinosaur I made in elementary school. Despite clear artistic talent I somehow decided to become a Registered Nurse after graduation. Nursing requires a great deal of structure, process and linear thinking. I excelled in the work and became involved in working with computer systems to enhance care. In search of balance I returned to my love of art and began taking classes at night. I produced commercial illustrations and also partnered with a well-known author to create a children’s book with Simon & Schuster.
While attending a studio tour by the Seattle Art Museum I became intrigued with the possibilities in abstract art. This experience changed my thinking. It was reminiscent of painting outside the lines in childhood and a metaphor for freedom to explore. Challenging in its constructs non-objective paintings are open to interpretation based on the viewer; memories, color relationships and past experience all play a part in the personal response. This aspect of connection without language leads me on a personal journey to continue to search for what connects us at a deeper level.
My work has been accepted in juried shows, received awards and been purchased for local organizations and individuals across the U.S. I continue to take classes and find ways to explore abstract painting and creating art. I am a member of Women Painters of Washington (est. 1940), National Association of Women Artists (New York) and Artists Trust in Washington.
Education
- School of Visual Concepts, Seattle, WA. Classes in Painting and Illustration. 1992-1995
- Artists Trust – The Edge Program. Shoreline Community College, Meredith Arnold, 2008
- Registered Nurse, AD, BS, RHIA 1975. University of Washington. Retired May 2016
Solo Exhibitions
| 2013 | Gallery 4500, University Business Center. Seattle ,WA |
| 2009 | Meyers Café, Everett, WA |
| 2009 | Mud Bay Coffee Company, Everett, WA |
Juried & Invitational Exhibitions
| 2022 | Primary Colors, Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA |
| Backyards & Backroads, Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA | |
| I Got The Blues, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland OR | |
| Some Nights Stay up Until Dawn, National Association of Women Painters, Monmouth Museum show, Lincroft, NJ | |
| The Paths We Take, National Association of Women Painters, (NAWA) online exhibit | |
| Northwest Style, Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA | |
| 2021 | Winter Small Works Annual Show, National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY |
| 2021 | Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland Oregon |
| 2021 | Inner Idea Artists,Color of Love, virtual gallery |
| 2021 | Annual Group Exhibition, Gallery IMA, Seattle, WA |
| 2020 | 131st Annual NAWA Members Exhibit, National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY |
| Internal Dialog, Gallery IMA, Seattle, WA | |
| The Living Mark, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland OR | |
| Small Works Show , NAWA. New York, NY | |
| Jazzy, Hackenstack Center for the Arts. Hackenstack, NJ | |
| 2019 | The Living Mark, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland, OR |
| Small Works Show, National Association of Women Painters, Washington DC | |
| Transparency, Arts Club of Washington, Washington DC | |
| 2018 | Northwest Perspectives, San Francisco Women Artists, San Francisco, CA |
| 129th Annual Exhibition, National Association of Women Painters, New York, NY | |
| 2017 | In the Studio: Art by MoMa’s Online Learning Community, Electronic display on 4 screens at MoMA.Members , Art titled Black Hat with Blue, oil on paper representative of Wilem de Kooning |
| Eastside View, Evergreen Association of Fine Art, Kirkland, WA | |
| Curiosity, Bastyr University, Kirkland, WA | |
| Living Mark, Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland, OR | |
| Coast to Coast: East, Prince Street Gallery, New York, NY | |
| Still Life in a Modern World,,ERA Living. Seattle, WA | |
| Pacific Regent Invitational Show, Pacific Regent, Bellevue, WA | |
| Annual Statewide Show, Collective Visions Gallery,Bremerton, WA | |
| Open Abstract show Juror; Katya Palladina, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts (EAFA), Kirkland, WA | |
| 2016 | Curated Show, Juror: Michelle Usibelli, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts (EAFA), Kirkland, WA |
| Coast to Coast: West, Woman Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA | |
| Open Abstract Art, Juror; Diane Venti, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle, WA | |
| Playful, Kenmore City Hall Gallery, Kenmore Fine Art Show, Kenmore, WA | |
| 2015 | Open Abstract Art, Juror: Ryan James, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Kirkland, WA |
| Members Juried Exhibit, Juror: Joan Frey, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Kirkland, WA | |
| Edmonds Art Festival Juried Art Gallery, Edmonds, WA | |
| Inspired by Nature, Juror: Liana Bennet, Kenmore 17th Annual Art Show, Kenmore, WA | |
| 2014 | Edmonds Art Festival-Juried Exhibit, Edmonds, WA |
| Open Abstract Art, Juror: Donna Watson, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA | |
| Members Juried Show, Juror: Mareth Warren, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA | |
| 2013 | Kenmore Fine Art Show, Juror: Seiko Konya, Kenmore, WA |
| Members Show, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle, WA | |
| Abstract Art Show, Juror: June Sekiguchi, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA | |
| 2012 | Open Abstract show, Juror Liana Bennet, Evergreen Association of Fine Arts, Seattle Design Center, Seattle, WA |
| Shoreline Arts Center Show, Shoreline, WA | |
| Kenmore Fine Art Show, Arts of Kenmore, Kenmore, WA | |
| Open Juried Show, The Gallery at Towne Square, Lake Forest Park, WA | |
| Annual Statewide Show, Juror Kathleen Moles, Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA |
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| 2011 | Interpretations The Gallery at Town Center, Lake Forest Park, WA |
| Juried Show, Juror: Janice Mallman, Blue Heron Gallery, Vashon Island, WA | |
| Kenmore Fine Art Show, Juror, Laura Deaton, Arts of Kenmore, Kenmore, WA | |
| Around the Block, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA | |
| 2010 | Annual Statewide Show, Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA |
| A Public Hanging, Blue Horse Gallery, Bellingham, WA | |
| Kenmore Fine Art Show, Juried Exhibit, SeaTac, WA | |
| Around the Block, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA | |
| Seatac Art Show, Seatac, WA |
Gallery Representation
- Gallery IMA
- Women Painters of Washington Columbia Tower Gallery
Selected Publications
- Collectors Edition: ArtSpan website (2016)
- Abstract Art– Lynne Taetzch (Oct, 2011)
- Gallery & Studio Review-Dec 2011-Jan 2012, Inner Idea Artists
- The Wonderful Counting Clock Author Cooper Edens, 1995, Simon & Schuster
- Sage Publications available only for Schools-series of books with realistic illustrations 1998
- American Showcase Reference Annual-Illustrations 1999
Collections
- Kenmore City Hall, WA
- Burien City Hall, Mayors office, WA
- Pacific Regent, Bellevue, WA
- Private collections in the following locations:
- Portland, OR, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Edmonds, WA
Artist Residency
- Centrum Artists Residency, Port Townsend, WA. 2017, 2018. 2019
Affiliations
- Artists Trust
- National Association of Women Painters (juried)
- Women Painters of Washington (juried)
- Evergreen Association of Fine Arts
- Artists Connect, Edmonds
- Inner Ideas Artists, Colorado