I earned my bachelor degree in Biology at Westminster College in 1993 and work as a molecular and cell biologist at a Salt Lake City biotech company. I took art classes in college and enjoyed them immensely, but only began seriously pursuing my passion for art about four years ago, when I realized my need for a creative expression of my love of the natural world. I have since studied and practiced intensively to pursue my art career. My teacher, local artist Willamarie Huelskamp, has been tremendously inspirational and helpful in my artistic growth.
My art is expressionistic: I paint what I love with an adventurous and spontaneous approach, celebrating the individuality of the artistic spirit. My love of nature and the Utah landscape, local subjects, and the beauty of simple things, as well as my travels, inspire my subjects.
I am also influenced by my love of the paint itself, choosing watercolor for its transparency and vibrancy and the spontaneous quality of the medium. I am often surprised and delighted by what happens on my paper in front of me. Watercolor also supports my love of color, which is the strongest element in my art. Bright, strong color best expresses the emotion I feel for my subjects. I paint on paper or clayboard, mixing in crayon, pastel, and acrylics in my more abstract pieces.
Part of the significance of a piece of artwork lies in the particular emotional experience the artist offers the viewer. I am fascinated by the depth of the emotional reaction art can sometimes evoke. My wish is to share my unique view, and I delight that my work might be instrumental in suggesting a fresh appreciation of life's sensory experience.
I live in the small community of Pine Meadows at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the mountains above Park City, Utah, with my husband, Mike, and our four dogs and two cats. In addition to my job and my art, I practice and teach yoga and I love spending time in the outdoors hiking, trail running, mountain biking, backpacking and skiing. My frequent sojourns with nature are essential for inspiring and nurturing my art.
My art is expressionistic: I paint what I love with an adventurous and spontaneous approach, celebrating the individuality of the artistic spirit. My love of nature and the Utah landscape, local subjects, and the beauty of simple things, as well as my travels, inspire my subjects.
I am also influenced by my love of the paint itself, choosing watercolor for its transparency and vibrancy and the spontaneous quality of the medium. I am often surprised and delighted by what happens on my paper in front of me. Watercolor also supports my love of color, which is the strongest element in my art. Bright, strong color best expresses the emotion I feel for my subjects. I paint on paper or clayboard, mixing in crayon, pastel, and acrylics in my more abstract pieces.
Part of the significance of a piece of artwork lies in the particular emotional experience the artist offers the viewer. I am fascinated by the depth of the emotional reaction art can sometimes evoke. My wish is to share my unique view, and I delight that my work might be instrumental in suggesting a fresh appreciation of life's sensory experience.
I live in the small community of Pine Meadows at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the mountains above Park City, Utah, with my husband, Mike, and our four dogs and two cats. In addition to my job and my art, I practice and teach yoga and I love spending time in the outdoors hiking, trail running, mountain biking, backpacking and skiing. My frequent sojourns with nature are essential for inspiring and nurturing my art.
