It's All About Me
A little about me....
I am originally from Pennsylvania but I now live in Huntsville, Alabama. I loved art throughout my youth and I’ve always loved animals and nature. In fact, I invisioned myself growing up to be one of those Crazy Cat Ladies....hmmm, I think I've got that one covered! So, of course, I spent a lot of time drawing animals. I received a liberal arts degree from Penn State University and after several diverse career paths, I decided to use my understanding of animal behavior to work in the veterinary field where I spent 13 years a veterinary technician.
In 2002, while still working as a veterinary technician, I took up art once again, with my love of animals, and cats especially, providing the inspiration. I’ve studied Chinese brushwork and oil painting with local artists to help hone my skills. In 2005, I had the opportunity to visit Paris, France, and I gained an even greater appreciation for the artwork of the Impressionists and the Old Masters so that the next year I decided to become a full-time artist.
Since then, I’ve been showing my work at various local art shows and festivals, entering juried fine art exhibits, doing many monthly online shows at EBSQ, painting lots of commissions, and continuing to evolve as an artist.
Exhibits/Awards/Festivals
2011 - Honorable Mention award at Embracing Art juried art show and exhibit at Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Decatur AL
2011 - Best in Fine Art and Best in Show at Walker County's Art in the Park juried art show in Jasper AL
2004 – Solo exhibit Earthworks Art Gallery, Penn Yan, NY
2006 - Featured artist for May Limelight Exhibit at Huntsville Art League
2005/2006 – Juried into Alabama Flora and Fauna Art Show
2006-2009 – Juried into Moss Rock Festival, Hoover, Alabama
2006-2009– Juried into Unique Views of Huntsville exhibit at the Huntsville Museum of Art
2006-2009 – Juried into the Monte Sano Art Show, Huntsville, AL
2006-2009 – Juried into Athens Art on the Square, Athens, AL
2007 – Juried into River Arts Festival, Memphis, TN
2007 – 1 of 50 artists out of 140 juried into the fine art exhibit at the River Arts Festival, by juror Ken Marvel of LewAllen Contemporary Gallery of Sante Fe, "Watching Water"
2008 – Juried into the 21st Annual Animal in Arts Exhibit, LSU
2009 Member's Choice Award - EBSQ Rodent Show "Mona Mia"
2009 Member's Mention Award - EBSQ FOTM Show Butterfly Bush "Kipling Under the Butterfly Bush"
2009 Patron's Choice Award - EBSQ Pet Portrait Swap Show "MaddieMoo's Peaceful Sleep"
2009 Member's Choice Award - EBSQ Tattoo Show "Self Portrait - Tattoo Sleeves"
2008 Member's Mention Award - EBSQ Spam and Trout Show "Nikki's Choice"
2007 Patron's Mention Award - EBSQ Ripped Off Show "A Peony for Preston"
2007 Member's Mention Award - EBSQ Magnolia Show "Magnolia Blossoms"
2006 Patron's Mention Award - EBSQ Pet Portrait Swap "Friends Forever"
2005 Patron's Choice Award - EBSQ Late Show"Pixie Mestizo and Ophelia"
2005 Patron's Mention Award - EBSQ Crocus Show"Captivating Crocus"
2004 Juror's Mention Award - EBSQ Images of India Show "Riki and Nagaina in the Cobra Burrow"