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

2013Gallery 4500, University Business Center. Seattle ,WA
2009Meyers Café, Everett, WA
2009Mud Bay Coffee Company, Everett, WA

Juried Exhibitions

2020 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
2017In 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
2016Curated 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
2015Open 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
2014Edmonds 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
2013Kenmore 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
2012Open 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
2011Interpretations 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
2010Annual 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
2009Edmonds Art Festival, Juried Exhibit, Edmonds, WA

Gallery Representation

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