Artist Statement
My work is more full with questions and contemplations than it is with statements and answers. Like many, I wonder how pain and brokeness lives so closely to beauty and fullness. I am captured by the continual paradoxes and dichotomies of life as I explore the relationship between the organic wildness of nature and the human order we try to create from it.
Delving into what lies beneath our surfaces, and how it reveals the fragility of the structures we build, I paint the space where the physical and the spiritual kiss.
I also love mixing the ancient with the contemporary as I find new meanings in age-old materials and processes using mineral pigments, egg tempera, and beeswax. I make my own paint from ground pigments as I dive deeper into both image and process.
More about me: I work in mixed media and painting and widely exhibit and sell my work. I earned my MFA from UW-Madison and work professionally as a designer for print and web media. I teach classes and workshops through both university and community arts programs in design and fine art and have spoken at national and international conferences. I currently live in Madison, WI and am locally represented by Grace Chosy Gallery in Madison. I am a member of the artsTRIBE collective, the International Encaustic Artists association (IEA), the Chicago Arts Coalition (CAC) and the Madison Artists Alliance (MAA).
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EDUCATION
1986-1989
University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
MFA, Printmaking/Painting; May 1989
1985
University of Wisconsin, Madison WI
graduate work in linguistics
1975-1978
Southern Illinois University Carbondale IL
Bachelor of Science: December 1978
Major: Publication Graphics
Minor: Journalism and Fine Art
TEACHING / PRESENTATIONS / WORKSHOPS
July 2010
Studio Assitant to Makoto Fujimura, The Art of Nihonga: Basic Technique and Theological Implications, 3-week graduate course, Regent College, Vancouver, BC
2010
Visiting Artist Presentation on Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting technique), Madison Area College, Madison, WI
2009
Visiting Artist Lecture on recent work, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
2008
Visiting Artist Presentation on Encaustic (molten wax) painting techniques, Shake Rag Arts Center, Mineral Point, WI
2008
Juror, for regional WRAP exhibition (Wisconsin Regional Artist Program), Shake Rag Arts Center, Mineral Point, WI
2/2008 - 6/2008
Art Exhibition Seminar, developing shows in alternative venues, Continuing Studies, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Madison, WI
2006
Encaustic Workshop, Painting with Wax, Shake Rag Arts Center, Mineral Point, WI
2005
Collage and Mixed Media Workshop, Shake Rag Arts Center, Mineral Point, WI
2004
Graphic Design for Non-Designers Workshop, NCO Annual Conference, San Diego, CA
Using the Internet as a Tool for Outreach Workshop, NCO Annual Conference, San Diego, CA
2003
Artist Talk, Balance, an exhibition of 3 artists Commonwealth Gallery, Madison WI
8/2000-12/ 2000
Lecturer, Print and Electronic Media Design, Ag Journalism 530 Media Design,
UW-Madison Department of Life Sciences Communications
WORK HISTORY
1/2001-Present
National Center for Media Engagement
funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Extension
Web and New Media Manager
1/93-12/2000
WHA-TV, Wisconsin Public Television,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Senior Designer for electronic and print media
6/89-12/92
Madison Graphic Services, Madison WI
Art Director
9/88-5/90
Elvehjem Museum of Art, UW-Madison
Assistant to the Registrar
9/83-1/85
Madison Graphic Services, Madison WI
Sr. Designer
4/82-3/83
Brose Design, Champaign, IL
Owner, Graphic Design Studio
3/81-3/82
Apprentice Printmaker
to Master Printmaker, Rimer Cardillo
hosted by Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL
2/80-3/81
Colortone Printing, Murphysboro IL
Graphic Artist, pre-press production
3/79-1/80
Frontier Community College, Fairfield IL
Editor of Publications, public relations