BIO and ARTIST STATEMENT
I didn't become serious about art in my life until my five children were grown and I enrolled in Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, in 1986. I rediscovered the satisfaction and excitement I had felt in high school art classes. Over a span of eleven years at two colleges, first at Mott, and after we moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, at Mesa State University, I was able to complete an Associate Degree and three semesters toward a Bachelor Degree in Studio Art.
My education was extended by taking group classes in various mediums from accomplished artists while moving a few times for my husband's work in Colorado, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and back to Michigan. Along the way, I was fortunate to visit many great museums of our country, such as; Detroit Institute of Art, Chicago Institute of Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, MT, Dayton Art Institute, Speed Art Museum in Louisville, KY, and the Milwaukee Art Museum. Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Taos and Sante Fe, New Mexico, spending many enjoyable hours browsing the fine galleries there. Each journey was inspirational and enlightening.
In addition to batik, my work covers many mediums including; printmaking, pastel, collage, and acrylic painting. I have exhibited in each city we've lived in and been active in the local art groups. While in Kentucky, I was a juried member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen for my batik work and I was Gallery Chair for the Wilderness Trace Art League of Danville, KY. For several years, I also exhibited in galleries in Lexington, KY, Galena, IL and Shorewood, Appleton and Fond du Lac, WI.
Creating batiks gives me another avenue of expression that is, perhaps, not as well known by the general public as are other techniques. It is unique in it's process and look. That is why I have chosen to concentrate on experimenting with different subject matter and composition. Each piece is an adventure and always has a surprise ending waiting for me.
