"Art is a harmony parallel with nature." Paul Cézannel

Philosophy

I enjoy interpreting and communicating about beautiful places using my training as both an ecologist and an artist. Ecosystems and paintings are all about fascinating interrelationships. In reality, landscapes are networks of interdependent plants and animals sustained by the energy, water, and nutrients flowing through them. All of these components must function together for an ecosystem to be healthy.

Similarly, painting is a complex and dynamic process. When one element changes, the entire composition is affected. A touch of new color, a heavier line, or a passing cloud triggers new relationships. And like an ecosystem, a painting is successful only when its elements are balanced and supportive of one another.

Inspiration

A native of coastal Maine and a long time Colorado resident, I have spent years teaching science, introducing others to Southwestern natural history, and exploring mountains, deserts, and river canyons here and around the world. In addition to my adventures in the natural world, my artistic inspiration was also shaped by a wonderful Zoology major at Connecticut College, and graduate degrees in Experiential Education and Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Art Education

My training as an artist has been gained entirely through workshops and demonstrations offered through the Pastel Society of Colorado (PSC) and the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS). I owe a debt of gratitude to the following amazing artists for their workshops and demonstrations: Gretchen Archarya, Tony Allain, Marla Baggetta, Carole Buschmann, Lorenzo Chavez, Doug Dawson, Christine Dubrosky, Ken Elliott, Diane Fechenbaum, Bruce Gomez, Marc Hanson, Gary Huber, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Jean Hirons, Bev Lee, Terry Lombardi, Terry Ludwig, Karen Margulis, Lee McVey, Elizabeth Mowry, Desmond O'Hagan, Maggie Price, Richard McKinley, Diane Rapissi, Mike Ray, Dennis Rhoades, Colleen Smith, Stan Sperlak, Deborah Stewart, Sabrina Stiles, Virginia Unseld, and Nancy Wiley.

Signature Member - Pastel Society of Colorado

Exhibitions

PSC's 2022 Master Signature Show, Bitfactory Gallery, Denver, CO, Desmond O'Hagan judge, October 21 - November 10. 2022
Perspectives, PSC's 2022 Members Show, Great Frame Up, Longmont, CO
Juried into PSC's 2021 "Let's Celebrate!" Small Works Show by Deborah Bays, bitFactory Gallery, Denver, CO, November 19 - December 10, 2021
Juried into PSC's 2021 "That's Amore!" Online show by Jurist Bethany Fields, February 14 - April 14, 2021.
PSC's 2020 Master Signature Show, bitFactory Gallery, Denver, CO, Lorenzo Chavez judge, November 15 - December 15, 2020
Juried into PSC's 2019 Small Works Show by Jeanne Rosier Smith, Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO November 7 - 21, 2019
Invited artist in Our Planet Exhibition 2019 exploring climate change, Art Center of Fort Collins, Ft Collins, CO, August 2019
Invited artist in Our Planet Exhibition 2019 exploring climate change, Koelbel Library, Centennial, CO, June 2019
Invited artist in Our Planet Exhibition 2019 exploring climate change, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Gallery, Boulder, CO, March-April, 2019
Juried into PSC's 2018 Small Works Show by Dave Santillanes, Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO, December 6, 2018 - January 31, 2019
Invited artist in two-person show with Ben Foster Photographs at Cafe Aion, Boulder, CO, April 24 - June 30, 2018
Invited artist in the Our Planet Exhibition 2018 exploring climate change - Curtis Art and Humanities Center, Greenwood Village, CO, April 7 - May 7 2018
Juried into "Horizons", PSC's 2018 Online Show by Aline Ordman, published March 9, 2018.
Juried into Pastel Society of NM 26th National Pastel Exhibition by jurists Susan Ogilvie, Jeanne Rosier Smith, and Frederick Somers, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, March 2 - 31, 2018.
PSC's 2017 Master Signature Show, Evergreen Center for the Arts, August 1 - 30, 2017.
Juried into PSC's 2017 Mile High National Pastel Exhibition by Tony Allain, Littleton Museum, Littleton, CO, July 6 - August 21, 2017
Pure Pigment, PSC's 2017 Members Show, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO, May 17 - June 24, 2017
Awarded Third Place Prize for Pastel and Drawing, by jurist and judge, Mark Bailey, 2017 National Greeley Art Exhibition, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, CO, April 28 - 30, 2017
Transitions, PSC's 2016 inaugural Online Show, October 17 - November 30, 2016
Juried into PSC's 2016 Small Works Show by Mike Beeman, Artwork Network - November 4 - 25, 2016
Juried into Boulder Art Association's Annual Membership Show by Nancy Wylie, Hyatt Place Hotel Gallery, Boulder, CO, November 3 - 6, 2016
Juried into the 50th National Greeley Art Exhibition by Don Weller, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, CO, April 29 - May 2, 2016
Resolutions, PSC 2016 Members Show, Rocky Mountain Institute for Art and Design, January 7 - February 16, 2016
Pastels, Not Chalk, PSC 2015 Members Show, The Western Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO, October 2 - November 4, 2015.
Juried into the PSC 2015 Mile High International Pastel Exhibition by Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Denver Public Library, July 12 - September 25, 2015
Juried into the PSC's 2015 Miniatures Show by Laura Mehmert, Humphrey History Park and Museum, Evergreen, CO; May 29 - June 25, 2015.
Summer 2015 Exhibition by local artists, Western Center for the Arts, Community Center, Nederland, CO, May 28 - September 5, 2015
One Woman Show - Ecosystems Seen Through an Artist's Eyes, Nederland Community Library, Nederland, CO, April 1 - June 30, 2015
Shake the Winter Blues! An exhibition by local artists, Art at the Center, Nederland Community Center, Nederland, CO: January - April 2015.
A Passion for Pastel, PSC 2014 Members Show, Corner Gallery, Montrose, CO, March 1 - 31, 2014
Pastel Perceptions, PSC 2013 Members Show, Englewood Pubic Library, Englewood, CO: November 2013
Art Inspired By the Land, Boulder Public Library, Boulder, CO: July 20 - August 29, 2013
PSC 2012 Members Show, The Western Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO: June 2012,
We Went Outside to Paint, PSC Exhibition, Broomfield Auditorium Gallery, Broomfield, CO: February 17 - April 12, 2012

Community Service

Chair, Education Committee, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2021 - 2022
Finance Committee Member, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2016 - 2022
Co-Chair, Mile High National Pastel Exhibition, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2017
Past President, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2017
Co-President, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2016, with Karen Spotts
Co-President, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2015, with Virginia Unseld
Vice President, Pastel Society of Colorado, 2014
Co-Chair, Pastel Society of Colorado Members Show, 2013
Co-Editor, Finding Your Style in Pastel, Jean Hirons, AuthorHouse, 2012

Memberships