Where do you live?
I became a Rhode Islander 30 years ago and I love it. My husband, our 3 horses, 3 dogs and 2 cats live in Clayville, RI. Al, my husband and all of our animal friends are frequent subjects for my art. I know them all so well
How would you describe your artwork?
As an artist, creating artwork that others enjoy, allows me to express my thoughts and my view of the natural world. Hopefully my art inspires wonder and a sense of awe about our surroundings and the beings that inhabit this world.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received about painting was from a professor when I was working on my masters. Steven Fisher taught me so much but the best advice ever was to “Paint what you love” so, that’s what I do. I paint animals, often with them doing a favorite thing like swimming or playing or lying upside down in a favorite spot. I also paint them in their deaths at our hands but these pieces aren’t very often displayed. I feel that people don’t really want to see animals suffering but it is a reality of life and an important subject for me to paint. Learning about animal suffering is why I made the choice to I became a vegan.
What is the most important skill you should have as an artist?
To create my work, I use watercolor, oil, graphite, colored pencils, pastels or a mix of these mediums. Each medium allows me study animals a little differently. It may be the detail of fur and feathers that graphite allows or the washy luminosity of watercolor to depict late afternoon light shining on a furry face or the thickness of oil paint that I use to make strokes that follow the contours of muscles or a lovely expressive face. I just love all the mediums. They enable me to really see my subject in a way that I never would if I were not painting them. As I paint, I learn to better understand each being and how they so perfectly fit into their environments. This is what I want to portray with my work. I hope it offers a deeper understanding of our fellow beings and how worthy they are of our respect and humane treatment.
What is your favorite thing about the Wickford Art Association?
I retired from teaching high school science and art 7 years ago. I wanted to be more involved in local art clubs so I joined WAA. I became a member in 2018 and a JAM in 2019. I’ve been teaching at Wickford for several years, now. I love teaching and volunteering at Wickford because my students and other Wickford members are such friendly, positive people. They make the class fun and comfortable and everyone is always so supportive of each other. I always feel energized after every class!