Spending my formative years in the Vermont landscape has deeply influenced my painting. I am moved by the visual poetry in the trees and fields that surround me and look to capture and celebrate that with my artwork. I explore this landscape every day, seeking and always finding great inspiration.
My formal art training was from Montserrat College of Art where I received a B.F.A in illustration in 2002.
Artistic Process
I have been “painting” with charcoal as my primary medium for the last four years. I love the way charcoal and water react and mix on clay-board or gesso-board which are hard, non-absorbent surfaces. The charcoal is then scratched and lifted off with tools and erasers to get the fine detail and is sealed with an archival poly-crylic coating to protect it in the end. I also occasionally use casein, which is an old fashioned, non-toxic milk based paint which comes in powdered form and when reconstituted with water dries to a hard waterproof finish. I am influenced by black and white photography and mostly use my own photos for reference in my paintings. The fact that they often look like black and white photographs is not intentional but arises out of my adherence to the photographic image in my artistic process. I use the camera as my sketch book and dive straight into the painting once I have chosen the photo I want to work from using charcoal and a paintbrush instead of a printer or darkroom.
SHOWS
Solo Shows
River Arts, Morrisville VT “The Dynamic Vermont Landscape” December 2011- January 2012
The Berrie Center for Visual Arts at Ramapo College, New Jersey January 6 - March 30, 2013
Group Shows
Studio Place Arts, Barre VT:
“Birds Eye View” juried group show, 2008
“Refuge” juried group show, 2011
Bryan Memorial Gallery, Jeffersonville VT:
“Trees,” juried group show 2011: asked to speak at the artists roundtable.
“Land and Light, Water and Air,” included in juried group show 2012: first honorable mention award.
- SEABA Center 2011 Art Hop: included in the juried show
- SEABA Center 2012 Art Hop: Artwork voted into juried show, awarded second place in competition.
- Lamoille County Courthouse: June 29 - August 30, 2013. Show of landscapes.
- West Branch Gallery, Stowe VT: Group show in new "Landscape Traditions" wing. Opening on March 22nd, 2014.
AWARDS
- FIRST PLACE in category - “Other Media”: Richeson 75 Landscape, Seascape, & Architecture 2012; national juried competition
for charcoal painting “Acadian Mist.”
- FIRST HONORABLE MENTION: Bryan Memorial Gallery, Land and Light, Water and Air 2012; juried competition for casein
painting “Old Birch on Elmore Mountain.”
- SECOND PLACE: Group juried show at SEABA Center Burlington, VT for casein painting “Old Birch on Elmore Mountain."
landscapes