I am an artist.
I am self-taught which means, like life's lessons, everything I have learned has been by trial and error. They say it takes about 10,000 hours of diligence to become an expert at something. All I know is that I'm still not an expert but I did put in my fair share of hours. Why? For the joy of it.
I read that at 5-years-old you are using about 80% of your creative potential. That declines to about 2% when you're 12, and that's where it stays. I find that unacceptable. I think any kind of creativity brings invaluable benefits. It teaches us to look deep inside ourselves to uncover what makes each of us unique. Over the years I've experimented with acrylics, oils, mixed media, resin and collage. Always evolving, I tried every tool of the trade. Mostly to find my individual style, but also, knowing that once I did it would be a way of me finding myself. I'm not there yet, might never be, but I've noticed recurring clues. There's always an underlining theme of nature in all my work. Bright colors, clean lines, and texture define my style.
As a versatile artist, I do commercial murals and commissioned pieces. I also support local charities donating paintings to art auctions including the American Breast Cancer Society, South Kingstown Special Education Department, Easter Seals of Rhode Island and the Welcome House. My work has been on display at regional galleries and I frequently exhibit at juried shows. I've been featured in the South County Independent and Arts Business Institute
I am an arts advocate.
I'm the Executive Director of the South County Arts Association, an 95-year-old nonprofit arts organization located in Kingston, Rhode Island. I'm also the past President of the Art League Rhode Island.
I received a Master of Arts Leadership and Cultural Management degree from the LEAP Institute for the Arts at Colorado State University. This program trains individuals for leadership roles so they can provide vision and entrepreneurship at organizations in the effort to advocate for the arts.
I am an arts exhibitor.
Awards
Honorable Mention | Members Annual Exhibition, South County Art Association, 2018
Editor’s Pick | Works of Art Challenge, 2015
First Place I All Media Open Juried Exhibition, South County Art Association, 2013
Exhibitions
2022
Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly Regional Exhibition | Westerly, RI
2021
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
All Media Open Juried Exhibition II | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2020
Giving Art a Voice Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2019
Twisting Fibers, An Art for All Reasons | Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2018
ALRI Members Exhibition | Warwick Center for the Arts, Warwick, RI
CSF Exhibition | Rhode Island State Council for the Arts at the Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
All Media Open Juried Exhibition II | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2017
Open Juried Print, Paint & Drawing Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
Art of the Arbor Exhibition | Newport Art House, Newport, RI
ALRI Members Exhibition | Dryden Art Gallery, Providence, RI
2016
Group Exhibition | New Hope Gallery, Cranston, RI
Open Juried Annual Exhibition | Trinity Gallery, Lime Rock, CT
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
RI Open Juried Exhibition | Warwick Center for the Arts, Warwick, RI
Art of Light Juried Exhibition | Warwick Center for the Arts, Warwick, RI
2015
Nocturne Exhibition | Spring Bull Studio & Gallery, Newport, RI
Open Juried Print, Paint & Drawing Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
The Hive Group Show | The Hive, North Kingstown, RI
Abstract/Avant Garde Show | Wickford Art Association, Wickford, RI
Group Exhibition | New Hope Gallery, Cranston, RI
2014
Open Juried Print, Paint & Drawing Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
24th Annual Les Petities Oeuvres | Spring Bull Studio & Gallery, Newport, RI
2013
Open Juried Print, Paint & Drawing Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
Member's Invitational Group Show | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2012
All Media I Open Juried Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
All Media II Open Juried Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
2011
Members Annual Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI
All Media II Open Juried Exhibition | South County Art Association, Kingston, RI