Since my works are mostly about plants, animals, and outdoor scenes maybe it won’t surprise you that as a child I spent every moment possible outdoors, and in college majored in biology. My work life, spent as a city planner, horticulturist, and mental health social worker, crowded out time for art. But these days I get to paint!
My paintings spring from what I might observe of plants or animals and their behavior, especially those in my yard or the large urban forest behind my house. Sometimes I’m moved by something I see or feel on my daily walk or in my travels. I draw and paint to satisfy my creative urges but also to honor these intriguing moments of life I’m fortunate to experience when I pay attention. Painting becomes my way to slow down enough to savor and explore my subjects.
I love to draw, which impels me towards realism as a painting style. Color, contrast, and texture are exciting to me, so these feature prominently in my works. Watercolor paint provides plenty of challenges and surprises as it interacts with water and paper. Happily, due to the resulting play between order and spontaneity, boredom is never a possibility.
I hope you see something new when you take a look!
Exhibitions: Participant in periodic exhibitions at the Carrboro ArtsCenter 2013 to present.
Emerging Artist Solo Exhibit, July, 2015 at the Carrboro Arts Center.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens 2016 – 2018
Orange County Visitors Bureau 2017 – 2019
Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour 2017 – 2020
My work is now in collections in North Carolina, Idaho, Florida, and Virginia.
