I am an artist, art educator, and passionate advocate for arts and culture in Colorado. Over my career, I have worked as a designer, art director, and creative director in graphic arts, multimedia, and internet design. My dedication to the arts led me to volunteer with arts advocacy groups and serve as a commissioner for Denver’s Office of Cultural Affairs. I hold a BFA in painting and arts education from Metropolitan State University and an MA in Studio Art from Regis University.
Creating and supporting the arts within my community is at the heart of my work. After many years in Denver, I now reside in Mancos, nestled in the beautiful Four Corners region of Colorado, where I paint, print, and serve as Program Director at the historic Mancos Common Press.
Creating and supporting the arts within my community is at the heart of my work. After many years in Denver, I now reside in Mancos, nestled in the beautiful Four Corners region of Colorado, where I paint, print, and serve as Program Director at the historic Mancos Common Press.
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This "Love Letter" to public lands was published on the Love Notes to Public Lands by the National Wildlife Federation - Our Public Lands. See all the Love Notes on their site.
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Love Letter, 30" x 40", oil on canvas
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An Abundance of Fortune - Two Shows in Mancos, Colorado
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I've recently had two shows in the wonderfully creative town of Mancos, Colorado where I live. Watch out Marfa, Texas!
WESTISH OLIO - 114 W. Grand, Mancos, CO Olio - Food Wine Art in Mancos. This show featured my Westish paintings which are a series of my observations and reflections on the western landscape. See the paintings and my artist statement on the Westish Series page. The reception for this show was on Saturday, October 2 and was up through mid October. HORIZON AND PASSAGE Fenceline Cider - 141 S Main Street, Mancos, CO Fenceline Cider. This was a joint show with artist Carol Mehesy. Our pieces are inspired by each of us contemplating horizons and passages in our lives. We are always in motion, in passage, and so is all of life around us. Horizons beckon and then fade in our rearview mirror. Life is a process of change – of opening up, embracing, and letting go – over and over again. The reception for this show was on Saturday, September 18 and was up through mid October. See my paintings and show statement on the Passage Series page. |
"Three Crows Laughing," 48" x 24," oil on canvas, at Olio in Mancos, CO.
"Slip and Slide," 24" x 6," encaustic on board at Fenceline Cider in Mancos, CO.
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Shifting Perspectives Online Exhibit, April 2021
I am honored to be part of a group of international artists selected for the Shifting Perspective encaustic/wax exhibition that launched April 24, 2021.
To see my piece, statement and info for purchasing, check out the Online Exhibit Link SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE is a themed juried show presented online. Work entered for the exhibit addressed the SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE theme in one of these ways: work that addresses the changing times we’re in | work about a change in attitude | work that addresses the tool of perspective as a means of defining space | work made around this quote from Joseph Campbell “We must let go of the life we have planned so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” |
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New Work. 2019 -2021
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My new work is influenced by the beautiful environment that surrounds me. This part of the country in Southwestern Colorado has an incredible history both geologically and historically. It is truly awe-inspiring. I am fascinated by the science that this area was under water at one point. What was water is now air and what was ocean floor is now high dessert and mountains. A little about the geology of the Four Corners area: "In just one place in the United States do four states meet. The borders of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona intersect at Four Corners, west of the confluence of the Mancos and San Juan Rivers. Maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicate that most of the rock layers around Four Corners were deposited during the Age of Reptiles, about 248 to 65 million years ago. The rocks formed from fine sediments eroded off older rocks and subsequently deposited by wind and water. Although water may be in short supply in this region now, it was once abundant. About 70 million years ago, the Four Corners region sat along the western shore of a shallow sea that split North America in two. The shallow sea alternately advanced and retreated during the time of the dinosaurs. Around the end of the Mesozoic, today’s Rocky Mountains began to rise. Land that was once seafloor is now elevated far above sea level and consists of high desert."- Michon Scott, Earthobservatory.nasa.gov |
"Ancient Land, Ancient Sea," and "Ancient Land, Ancient Sky." Both 8" x 8," encaustic and found objects on cradled board.
 "East Canyon Triptych," encaustic and mixed media. Ancient geology, life coexisting with the threat of fire, and the destruction (and life) created by fire, is the subject of this triptych. Each 6" x 6," encaustic and found objects on board. SOLD
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Encaustic Art Institute Goes Virtual, July 2020
I am sad to say that the Encaustic Art Institute is no longer in their beautiful space in Santa Fe. Hopefully after everything opens up again they will find something even better in which to showcase the Art of Wax and hold their wonderful workshops.
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Check out my piece in the member gallery and the work of so many talented artists who work in wax - both hot and cold!
Global Warming is REAL Online Exhibit, June 2020I am proud to announce that I have been selected for inclusion in the 4th Annual Global Warming is REAL exhibition put on by the Encaustic Art Institute. Works chosen by juror Diane Burko showcase how artists assimilate and personalize the scientific information coming to light about global warming.
The 4th Annual Global Warming is REAL National Encaustic/Wax Juried Exhibition presented by the Museum of Encaustic Art is the institute’s second online-only exhibit due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. I am honored to be included in this exhibition, and while you can't see my work in-person, you can now view the full online exhibit. Click here to view online Global Warming is REAL exhibit Click here to see exhibition Juror's notes Roaming Writers Text (A poet's response to my painting) Global warming has altered the timing of our seasons and created a loss of spring synchrony. Its impact is both small and large. |
Altered Synchrony, mixed media, (hot and cold wax, glass flowers, paper pulp), 16 x 12 inches. Click on image to see my page in the virtual exhibit.
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Move to Southern Colorado, May 2019
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In May, 2019 my husband Mark and I moved to Mancos, Colorado which is midway between Durango and Cortez in Southeastern Colorado. Our daughters Justine and Ally helped settle us into our new home on a perch with a view of Mesa Verde and Sleeping Ute Mountain. Pictured is this year's New Year's card which gave my artistic daughters and me a chance to have fun with design and celebrate our move. Since moving here and setting up my new studio in the house, I've had the opportunity to better explore painting with encaustics. I've been inspired by my new environment of mountains, valleys, and red rock canyons as well as by living in an area that is full of recreational activities and most importantly - ART! Both Durango and Mancos have thriving art, music and cultural scenes. I've recently joined the Museum of Encaustic Art, in Santa Fe and have a piece in the member gallery. I look forward to more involvement with them as well as engaging in art opportunities in the four corners area. To showcase the work I was involved with at Arts Street in Denver, I created a book, highlighting a few favorite projects. You can download a pdf here. |
New Freedom Park Mural, Spring 2019
New Freedom Park, located at the edge of Denver and Aurora, serves a neighborhood that is home to many refugees and recent immigrants. The design for a mural in the park began with a community meeting to gather resident input and visual inspirations from the many countries-of-origin represented in the apartments surrounding the park. Arts Street staff and interns worked with community members to plan, design and complete the mural.
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Arapahoe Community College presents State Teachers Exhibition,
August 2018 See Artworks for event/exhibit photos.
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Colorado Charter High School Mural, Spring 2018
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Commissioned by CHSC's principal, and working with two classes, this mural and mini-mural was painted in the school's main hallway. Designed by senior Blaine Johnson (on one foot), the mural was meant to be an uplifting addition to the new renovation. Arts Street interns, Yoki, Neteru, Blaine, Jose and Miguel, helped complete the mural.
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La Alma Lincoln Park Mural, August and September 2017
Colorado High School Charter students and Arts Street interns planned, designed and painted a 3-D mural in the La Alma - Lincoln park playground. Serpientes incorporates two snake designs representing the traditional Aztec quetzalcoatl and a more contemporary interpretation of the serpent/snake.
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La Alma - Lincoln Park mural, "Serpientes."
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Teaching | Artist: Leon Gallery, Friday, April 14, 2017
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Painting finds home in New York City
Painting in the Ripple Effect/Recurrent Series. See Artworks for more information.
Vault: MSU Denver Alumni Exhibition at the Center For Visual Art
May 22 - July 25, 2015
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Vault: MSU Alumni Exhibition
Participating MSU Alumni Artists: Deidre Adams | Phil Bender | Neil Bigley | Mickey Boyd | Kristin Buck | Jody Chapel | Cara Coder | Andrea Crane | Valerie Dillon | Heather Doyle-Maier | Jenifer Erickson | Corrina Espinosa | Virginia Folkestad | Mark Friday | Jennifer Ghormley | Jason Lee Gimbel | Kathleen J. Graves | Celina Grigore | Kristin Gruenberger | Megan Harrison | Katy Havens | Susan Helbig | Katie Hoffman | Daniel House Kelly | Izzy Lozano | Korri Marshall | Dawn McFadden | Skyler McGee | Mary Nehls | Pattie Parkhurst | Tyler Peterson | Dania Pettus | Jennifer Pokorny | Shawn Reinoehl | Claudia Roulier | Kelsey Sailsbery | Dave Seiler | Casey Stueber | Shawn Taylor | Patrice Washington | Mario Zoots | |
What Those Who Teach Can Do at The Art Institute of Colorado
March 15 - April 16 2015
March 15 - April 16 2015
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2014 Colorado Art Educators traveling exhibition, Expanding the Possibilities at Kanon Collective Gallery in Denver, Colorado
July 3rd – 27th, 2014 Pdf Show Announcement Artists Reception July 18th 5:00-9:00 pm Special exhibition featuring members of the Colorado Art Education Association. The front gallery will feature pieces from CAEA members across the state and our back room will feature new works by Kanon members. 
2014 CAEA Exhibit at Kanon Collective Gallery, Denver, Colorado.
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2014 Colorado Art Educators traveling exhibition, Expanding the Possibilities at Breckenridge Theatre in Breckenridge, Colorado
October 8 - 31, 2014 |
Re-Collections Graduate Capstone Exhibition at Converge Denver
June 14 ~ July 6 (Extended 1 week!)
Converge Denver, 3327 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Hours: 8 ~ 5:30, Mon. ~ Friday
For more information on this exhibit and the inspiration and research that went into it, visit my digital journal at anaturalhistoryofmemory.weebly.com
June 14 ~ July 6 (Extended 1 week!)
Converge Denver, 3327 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Hours: 8 ~ 5:30, Mon. ~ Friday
For more information on this exhibit and the inspiration and research that went into it, visit my digital journal at anaturalhistoryofmemory.weebly.com
Artist Statement & Resume
This artist statement is really more of an assemblage of words and phrases mined from books, articles and descriptions about artists I admire. It is more of a wish and a request than an overall statement of who I am as an artist. It gives me the freedom to evolve and wander among whatever artistic pursuits I fancy.
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