I graduated from Penn State University in 1969 with a Bachelors degree in art education, and taught art in the Pittsburgh public school system for two years. I attended summer art classes at Carnegie Tech and was a juried member in the Pittsburgh watercolor society before moving to Philadelphia.

I continued to teach private classes and exhibit my paintings. My passion for art led me into various businesses that all involved the creative process. I started Plastic Fantastics with a friend, where we designed and manufactured Plexiglas functional art pieces. This, combined with my business connections led me into being a sign writer. I did free style hand lettering on windows, tractor trailers, paper and wood for approximately 10 years. Following that I developed a line of hand painted clothing that was sold throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Through my business connections I was asked to do murals in personal and commercial areas and also created a line of hand-painted furniture which was represented by several galleries in the area. During this whole time I continued to exhibit my paintings in various shows and galleries. I became President of the Tri-State Pennsylvania Artists Equity for a year and have continued to be an active member. I am also involved in ART SISTERS, a support group for women who are professional visual artists and which also reaches out to women and children in the community Because of the time and creative constraints demanded by my business, I began to miss the creative freedoms that lead me to become an artist to begin with. I now focus my energy on my paintings. I am a re-emerging fine artist.

Finding the balance among color, composition, line, shadow and rhythm, without having to rely on a realistic or tangible object to look at has always been the personal challenge of a successful abstract painting for me. The only way I can push and pull paint freely is to remove myself from the confines of what I can see with my eyes. I have always used paper and canvas for my work but now also use plexiglas as a surface to paint on.The surprises that it offers are exciting and very different than the effects I could achieve on traditional surfaces. I create these paintings on the back of the surface so that the viewer can see the the very first strokes that have been created, unlike conventional paintings where the first applications of paint are very often hidden. I am essentially painting backwards.

Even though my paintings are abstractions, it is nature and all the rhythms, colors and emotions I derive from it that inspire my work. Art offers no limitations. Choices are abundant. To be able to dance and sing with all that is around me is what I strive for in my art as well as in my life.

ART SISTERS