MEDIUM

My work has evolved over more than 45 years as a professional artist and I use a variety of mediums. Some of my artworks are sumi-e — ink and watercolor on rice paper. Sometimes the work includes ground malachite or ground azurite (semi-precious minerals). I also create mixed media pieces, which usually start with sumi-e collaged on canvas or wood, with additional layers of watercolor and acrylic painting.

MY STORY

I am a professional artist, a painter of multiple mediums. My main inspiration is nature. My earliest memories include camping trips, hiking, swimming and canoeing. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved flowers, trees, and birds. Nature is so deep and filled with spirit— it replenishes my soul, heals me, and gives me joy and harmony. A flower in my backyard, cascading waterfalls, even a blade of grass.… they inspire me. My painting process is a spiritual journey of being with nature and brushing, splashing, pouring color. Painting makes me happy and brings me peace. I hope my work brings beauty and peace to you too.

My journey with art began in childhood. I loved being creative and wrote short stories and poems, drew endless doodles, and built paper mache sculptures. In college I dabbled with many mediums but I never considered myself an artist. In 1973, I found Sumi-e (black ink wash painting), in a college class taught by an artist from Japan, and it changed my life. I was hooked on ink painting.

In the 70’s and 80’s, ink painting led me to Japan, Taiwan, and China to study with great master painters. Painting with ink led me to painting on silk, which led me to dyes and pigments. I created wearable art using dyes, pigments, cotton, and silk. Techniques and concepts from these studies and experiences have informed my work and what you see on my website.

I continue to be intrigued by the interplay of black ink and colors and the way they move on paper and silk. The intrigue leads me to experiment and is key to my artistic growth. I constantly play with new approaches and ideas and often begin without a sketch or plan. My style is improvisational, loose and personal, and I am recognized for my energetic, “from the heart” approach.

My studio is in the Arts District of NE Minneapolis, MN (USA), and I exhibit and teach worldwide. You are welcome to visit me by appointment.

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.