I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember, first as a dancer and later as a weaver. I always painted with watercolors, self-taught. Finally, nine short years ago I found River Gallery School and after a tentative foray into sequencing with Lydia Thomson, I fell in love with oil paints.

Lydia, like the very best teachers, met me where I was, and encouraged me always. I learned from her to make many starts and to experiment freely. I have learned from many teachers at River Gallery, especially Lynn Zimmerman and Mary Giammarino. Donna Hawes always made me feel so welcome as she made it possible for me to pursue my relentless need to paint. She is the glue who holds the center and makes it possible for us all.

Being at River Gallery surrounded by art making has been so stimulating as I continue to learn from my fellow painters there. Throughout the pandemic we painted every Monday morning with Lydia (on Zoom) and made collages with Lynn and kept ourselves from becoming too isolated in the shut down as we continued to make art in dark times. I called my pieces from that time “Art in the time of the pandemic”.

I think I’ve taught myself to draw through painting and am a colorist first and foremost. Color is my muse and I use it as an expression of my inner life as well as what my eye sees. I like being in a not knowing position, a beginner every day with a moment of excitement as I start to put down paint. How lucky am I? It’s the dance I love now.

Portions of the sales goes to The World Central Kitchen.