About the Artist

I create pastel paintings with the goal of bring the openness and peace of being outdoors in the beauty of our incredible world. In my animal artwork, I invite the viewer to step into their world and to feel the connection to that animal.

The medium of pastel is ideal for depicting wonderfully strong sunlight and shadow which I love to explore. The immediacy and feel of drawing combined with the beautiful colors of pastels make this my medium of choice.

Animals and landscapes are what I am most passionate about painting, but I also enjoy a variety of other subjects. My landscapes are from the areas of North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and my native California. I enjoy telling the visual story of old and abandoned structures from my surrounding area, as well.

Because I love working in pastels, I also want to share my knowledge through teaching pastel classes. The relaxed classes are focused on experimentation with pastels, surfaces, and basic techniques, as well as encouraging artists to venture into a new medium in a very positive way. Contact me at [email protected] for further information.

After raising my daughter, and working for a number of years in a "regular job", I am privileged to have been able to return to art full time. I live in Locust, North Carolina.

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Awards

North Carolina 2016 Statewide Pastel Exhibition: Two paintings selected, one received the Strathmore Award.
Mint Hill Arts Summer Judged Show 2016 – First Place
Piedmont Pastel Society – Cover of the Member Show 2017 Calendar
Cabarrus Art Guild Fall Judged Show 2016: First Place
Ciel Gallery – Charlotte, NC – Painting juried into the National Winter Exhibition “Gimme Shelter”
Pastel Society of North Carolina-Painting juried into the 2017 Member Show at Ambleside Gallery, Greensboro, NC

North Carolina 2023 Statewide Pastel Exhibition: Two paintings selected, one received the Exceptional Merit Award.
Pastel Journal Magazine’s 2020 Pastel 100 Contest - First Place in Animal Category

Pastel Journal Magazine’s 2024 Pastel 100 Contest - Honorable Mention in Animal Category

Mooresville Arts - Winter Show 2023 First Place
 
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Affiliations

Pastel Society of America – Juried in as an Associate Member
Pastel Society of North Carolina member
Piedmont Pastel Society member
Cabarrus Art Guild member