The Central Florida environment of trees and lakes provides both the inspiration and the materials for my work. I have lived in Winter Park since 1970 but originally came from eastern Iowa where I was born to nature loving parents and received a BFA from Drake University in Des Moines. 

Wood continues to be the foundation for my sculptures, as well as the inspiration.  My early studies of portrait painting with Florence Jordan and life drawing also contribute to the making of my tree branch figurative sculptures as well as studying with David Cumbie at Crealdé School of Art and Michael Galletta at Valencia Community College plus being a Fellow at the Atlantic Center of the Arts with Mia Westerlund Roosen and James Surls.

 

I have been part of a group studio for many years, but more recently I work solo in a warehouse studio.  I am an active member of the Florida Sculptors Guild and the Florida Artists Group, a state organization of professional artists. I live with my husband and son on a lake where I can observe birds and nature and enjoy astrology as a hobby.

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Over the years I have participated in many local group exhibits in such venues as the Terrace Gallery, Orlando City Hall, the Mennello Museum of American Art, The Maitland Art Center (A & H), Albertson-Petersen Gallery, Gallery at Avalon Island, (City Arts), Casselberry Art House, Albin Polasek Museum, University of Central Florida, and Crealdé School of Art.

 

Showing with Robin van Arsdol’s group, Orlando Furioso at Church St. Gallery and at D’Ars Studio, Milan, Italy and with Donne Bitner at the

DeLand Museum of Art, Deland and Arts on Douglas, New Smyrna.

Showing with Henry Sinn at Mt. Dora Center for the Arts, Mt.Dora and

The Gallery at Avalon Island, Orlando.

 

I participated in the traveling show, Thresholds - Expressions of

Art and Spiritual Life, City Gallery, Charleston, SC, which traveled to

Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Florida.

Regional shows such as the Southeastern Juried Exhibition at the Mobile

Museum of Art, Mobile, Alabama, the DeLand Museum of Art, the

Arts Center (Morean) St. Petersburg, LeMieux Gallery, New Orleans,

Arts Space Inc., Atlanta and University of Georgia, Athens.

 

I have been a member with the Florida Artists Group, a statewide professional group showing at venues such as LeMoyne Arts, Tallahassee,

Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, Leepa Ratner Museum, Tarpon

Springs, Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Ormond Beach, Coral Springs

Museum of Art, Coral Springs, Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota

St. Augustine Art Association, St. Augustine, Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach. I am a member of the Florida Sculptors Guild showing with them at the Osceola Center for the Arts, Kissimmee and the Sculpture House, Casselberry.

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Artist’s Statement

My central Florida environment of trees and lakes provides me with both the inspiration and the materials for my work.  My favorite woods are citrus, cypress, oak, and crepe myrtle, which are readily available in my neighborhood.  Each work begins with a branch, log or limb that suggests a figure or a bird to me, and can end with a sculpted ceramic head.  This blending of natural materials and sculpted clay helps me evoke a unique look to my work.  These sculptures may border on folk art, but they are informed by a past study of life drawing and portrait painting.  My work has evolved from my personal life experiences, my environment, and my metaphysical studies.