Artist Statement

I have been painting in watercolor for three decades but almost exclusively for the last seven years. The joy and excitement I feel for the medium are apparent in my work. My paintings can be a cacophony of color; I use repetition to make a harmonious melody of the shapes and splatters. I sometimes flip-flop negative space with positive space to add interest and create a strong visual path.

I mean to convey beauty in the mundane or give a whole new perspective to the already interesting or beautiful. My favorite part of watercolor painting comes from watching and controlling the ebb and flow of pigment in the water. Time stands still when I am painting. I am often surprised that four or five hours have passed while I was lost in my world of brushes and pigments.

I grew up in a small Southern town and spent my childhood outdoors. My favorite activities were catching salamanders in the creek and building bike paths in the woods. I once tried to transplant beautiful moss that I found in the woods into our sunny yard. I love all things in nature. When I lived in the Florida Keys, I spent time on winter days putting sea hares and anemones back in the water when they get beached at low tide. I collect many things I find on walks and out in the world.

When not painting, I love to walk in nature, whether this is the wooded trails of Virginia or the shorelines of Florida. Butterflies, birds, fish, and bees have been recent subjects of my artwork. I spend a lot of time learning about animals and the natural world. I’m currently reading a lot about bees and how much our food supply depends upon them and other pollinators.

I have a natural curiosity, and I am always perplexed by what people do not know about animals and nature because they have not spent time in it to learn. It’s difficult to get people to pursue wildlife and habitat conservation if they do not understand or respect the animals affected. I hope my paintings are more than just pretty depictions but a call to learn more.

I now live in Pensacola, Florida, and display my work at Quayside Art Gallery. I also serve as Exhibition Director of the Florida Watercolor Society, which keeps me busy and gives me an opportunity to visit the mangrove areas of the state that I dearly miss.

Why I Entered Endangered?

Finding the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest last year was a serendipitous event. As soon as I looked at the work submitted, I knew I wanted to participate. I have painted many animals with habitat challenges and felt those paintings would be a good fit for the Exhibition. I also knew that my fees to enter would go to the Center for Great Apes, and that inspired me to enter the maximum number of pieces. I was thrilled to learn two were accepted and one of the paintings sold, earning more money for the Center!

My experience with Art4Apes inspires me to share the environmental and conservation behind my subjects. I hope being a Virtual Resident spreads that message and inspiration to other artists. Keeping those topics in front of others can bring positive change to our planet and the beautiful creatures that depend upon it, like the orangutans and chimpanzees.