ARTIST'S STATEMENT

In the world of art, nothing is sacred--not even the art itself. I believe that, at its best, art is a public experience. I see real value in a piece being made available to the general public, not only to look at, but also to interact with when possible. Instead of feeling obliged to "appreciate" art, I would like for people to think of it as part of their daily lives.

This is part of the reason I paint with acrylics. With their bright colors and synthetic texture, they can serve to demystify the world of art, perhaps because their qualities are reminiscent of plastic objects that people use every day. This is important to me, because having art available does not accomplish that much if it does not feel accessible.

The durability of acrylics is also important for my work. Some of my works are made to be touched and moved instead of being kept safely out of reach. The fact that the viewer can physically manipulate the works embodies my belief that the viewer is just as important as the artist in giving meaning to a piece of art.

COLLECTIONS

Institutional and private collectors in the U.S. and abroad including Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and Webster University in Vienna, Austria.

ACTIVITIES/RECOGNITION

July - Dec 2002 Art-O-Matic 2002, PR Committee Chair

M.A. in German, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio

B.A. in English, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon

Artistic Training: Willamette University, Salem, Oregon; Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon; Art League School, Alexandria, Virginia