Although I began painting at an early age it was not until the 1970’s that I developed my own style when I moved to California from Minnesota. Leaving behind the cold blustery winters, I am strongly influenced by the brilliant sunny colors of the California coast and the easy, relaxed, simple shapes and textures unique to the West Coast.
I consider myself a contemporary figurative painter, working in watercolors and acrylics. My paintings of California women, bold and solid, dressed in colorful clothing, are often relaxed in the desert and enjoying life and music. My work reflects how I feel about my life, my art and my love of music. My palette is large and I am never afraid to use bright colors. I generally mix my paints directly on 300 lb rough watercolor paper with good sable brushes. I use watercolor pencils and ink to embellish my work and I will layer many washes and experiment with my colors directly on the paper, rarely mixing on a paint tray. I do not use a detailed under-drawing but often work from small colored pencil sketches. Although I have used other mediums, my favorite is watercolor because of the surprises I encounter when working on every project. My excitement and enjoyment in working comes from the unexpectedness of the medium and my love of painting.
2007
38th National Juried Exhibition - Palm Springs Art Museum, CA
2004
Juried Exhibition - Palm Springs Desert Museum, CA
2003
San Bernardino County Museum National Juried Exhibition, Redlands, CA
Palm Springs Smooth Jazz Festival and Juried Fine Arts Show, Two chosen selections on loan to Hanson House Art Collection
34th Annual National Juried Exhibition - Palm Springs Museum, CA
2002
Small Images Juried Show, Coachella Valley Historical Society, Inc., Award
Sixth Annual National Juried Exhibition, Artists Council Members - Palm Springs Museum, CA
13th Annual Juried Show, Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Award
2001
San Diego 21st International Watercolor Show, San Diego, CA
Fifth Annual National Juried Exhibition, Artists Council Members, Palm Springs Museum, CA
12th Annual Juried Show, Coachella Valley Watercolor Society, Award
International Fine Arts, Juried Exhibition, Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
Brand XII, Juried Watercolor Exhibition, Glendale, CA
Affaire in the Gardens, Juried Open, Beverly Hills, CA
St. Paul Art Center “Best 100”, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul, MN
Daytons Minneapolis Art Gallery, Solo Exhibitions, Minneapolis, MN
