Growing up with an
Air Force family, traveling has been part of my life since I was born
in Tokyo, Japan. My mother was born in Paris, France and married my
dad, an American G. I. from Iowa. Our young family of four traveled
the world and lived in foreign countries giving me an international
upbringing and a love for travel. For awhile we settled in
Montgomery, Alabama during the tumultuous years of racial unrest of
the 1960’s. When I graduated from the University of Alabama and
realizing that though I had traveled many parts of the world, I had
never been to the western states of America. After spending time in
Washington, California, and Oregon my gypsy life was left behind
when I took up residence in Bend, Oregon and it was here that I took
my first watercolor class. At this moment I fell crazy in love with
color and I now consider myself to be a painter of color.
My wanderlust spirit
calls me still, and my journeys give me a never-ending source of
inspiration to represent little gems of the world in my color filled
paintings. Now when I travel I am equipped with my watercolor
journal under my arm and wherever I go I spend time painting and
creating a personal work of art more memorable than any photo
album. My journals are filled with watercolor paintings that
capture memories of my travel experiences and record my voyage in a
creative and unique way. Exploring my French heritage and fascinated
by all things French come from my charming mother. When at
home in my studio, these small paintings and sketches are often the
seedling for my larger creations.
I use a technique
called glazing,
meaning “glass-like,” I layers thin coats of pigment to create
glowing new colors. This painting process creates transparent layers
that allow underneath colors to shine through. My goal is to share
the feeling of these beautiful places: fields of lavender, warm
sun-soaked beaches, and tranquil old-world villages nestled among
the surrounding cliffs. I want the viewer to feel like they are
there, right there sitting in that French café enjoying their latte
or lounging on that bright sandy beach.
I
teach at my Art in my Heart Studio,
Central
Oregon Art’s Central as well as at the
Art & Soul Retreats.
