Artist Statement
When I was fifteen, I wandered into the local art supply store and decided to try my hand at painting. I discovered I had an aptitude for it, and I began teaching myself to paint. Several years later, I earned a degree in Graphic Arts. Unfortunately, it did not pay the way I had hoped, so instead, I became a restaurant manager. Great money, terrible hours, and painting was resigned to the status of "hobby." A hobby I had no time for until four years ago when I became ill and could no longer work the long hours. It turns out I was given a gift. I was given the opportunity to return to my first love—the paintbrush—and here I intend to stay. It is not enough though to just paint all day, although that is pretty awesome. My ego screams for people to see my work, and it whispers its hope that people will love my art.
I have tried various mediums, but my favorite remains acrylic. It is versatile, forgiving, and the colors are intense. I enjoy being able to push the paint around until I am happy with my subject. My favorite subjects are people. My brush caresses their faces, and I love painting their eyes. Isn't it amazing how the most unfortunate looking person can become beautiful when transcribed into paint?
I define a painting as an item that tells a story or captures a moment in time as filtered through the mind's eye of the artist. Like everyone else in this world, I want to be heard. I am lucky enough to have found a way to accomplish that.
Artist Background
Oklahoma City Community College
Associate of Arts, 1991
Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2017