Since childhood art and my environment have been major influences. Quite early on I discovered the Old Master painters through a collection of Time Life art books in my parents' bookshelves. The colors, textures, and light fascinated me.
The colors and spaces in gardens, forests, and homes of Cape Cod and the Adirondack mountains also imprinted itself on me. Light, values, and culture varied, but each locale had its own distinctive magic.
After studying art and literature in college, I worked in the fashion industry and as a scenic artist, painting sets for Broadway, film, and television. Upon returning to Massachusetts, raising my daughter, renovating an old home and gardening became my focus for several years. The house and garden soon became a starting point for paintings and pastels of still life and interiors. An interest in the material culture of the past as well as contemporary objects inspires my focus on what I see as the essence of daily life that is so easily overlooked in our hurried lives.
Artist's Statement As a representational painter, I deal in extended moments. Small instances, such as a fleeting glimpse, can capture my attention. I focus on light, space, and form that will bring the viewer into a world made rich through looking.
Using a combination of manmade and natural objects, I work to understand and convey my perceptions of a small corner of the world that I call home.
Quiet, prosaic moments that punctuate my day captivate me. Drawing inspiration from the architectural, gardening, and decorative arts traditions of New England, I explore the transformative effects of time, nature, and human touch on the objects in my compositions.
My artistic practice centers on the nuanced development of space, form, and light. Arrangements of natural materials, such as plants, and man-made objects, particularly fabrics, results in alluring vignettes.
Working representationally I create paintings and drawings centered on interesting objects. Inspired by the European cabinets of curiosities, I incorporate the creativity of our predecessors, integrating patterned textiles, furniture, and tabletop items into paintings, linking the past and present. Through observation, relationships and connections evolve among these elements and from the natural and manufactured worlds. Careful composition creates a space as intriguing as the objects themselves. The viewer becomes a guest wandering in the image. Through the deliberate application of color, design, and form, immersive spaces evolve, revealing intricate connections. This kinship with my subjects unearths hidden shapes and ideas, culminating in a compelling visual experience crafted from layers of perception, observation, and memory. These paintings encapsulate a small vision, while offering viewers space to discover their own worlds.