I had the pleasure of attending Roseville area schools, named “Alexander Ramsey High School” at the time (1980-1983). There I was to meet the first great creative influence of my life, my art teacher Merl Clercx. It is because of his tutelage that I was able to attain a scholarship for four years full tuition at the Mpls. College of Art and Design (1983 to1987). My junior year in college I studied in Aix-en –Provence, France, at the Leo Marchutz Atelia. I completed my formal education at a summer intensive at Chautauqua School of Art in the Finger Lake Region of New York studying under the Master Abstract landscape painter Stanley Lewis (1991).
I have maintained a studio practice in portrait, figure, and still life as well as plein-air painting for the last 30 years. For twenty-five years I taught painting lessons in lower town at my studios there. For the last 5 years I have continued my practice as a teaching artist and and painter at 280 and University at the Midway Triangle Bldg.
My investigations into painting flowers began as a response to Minnesota’s long cold winters. I needed color, beauty and connection during the inclement winter months. Flowers have offered me this wonderful arena of hope, experimentation and play. The living, breathing, presence of flowers can offer so much joy and healing to all who have the pleasure of noticing their delightful and powerful generosity. It is in this spirit that I embark on the rose sculpture ”Flower Power” created for, and located in, Roseville–a place to which I owe so much gratitude. Birthplace of my first hopes and dreams and creative playful longings!