I was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1974 and raised in Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. As an adult I’ve called Ames, Iowa; Long Island, New York; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and, most recently, Tucson, Arizona home.

As far back as I remember I have loved color and have loved expressing myself in color. As a young child I drew my symbols for flowers, birds, trees, and rainbows repeatedly and passionately. I traced my favorite storybook illustrations, wishing I could draw realistically. As a teenager and young adult I was fortunate to have a number of teachers who showed me my dream of realistic expression was realizable and with practice, I learned. The highlight of my education was time spent painting from still lives and models in Terence Coyle’s class at The Art Student’s League of New York.

Today I am thrilled to be spending much of my time painting. As a recent arrival to Tucson I am struck by the quality of light here, the mountains on every horizon, and the unique beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

 

Green Leaf
Acrylic on canvas, 20 inches by 30 inches.