Artist’s Statement

I have always had a desire to express myself through art. After completing a graphic arts program at UC Santa Cruz I began what became a more intuitive and physical expression of my art through abstract gestural painting.

I was fortunate to find an artist and mentor who believed that creativity is a vital force in all of us. Barbara Clark painted and spread her special approach which included meditation and guided imagery in feeling and seeing before putting paint to paper. She believed that through continued exploration with color, shapes and textures you became your own best teacher (in addition to class critiques). I was a student of Barbara’s at her studio in Palo Alto for over 20 years and feel immense gratitude for the freedom she encouraged to paint as you like without judgement. I find endless fascination with the colors, shapes and composition that emerge when I paint. It feels very mysterious as the unknown becomes known.

I was an elementary school teacher for 25 years and it brought me such joy to create a space and way for my students to experience this same approach to expressing their creativity with paint. I have also given workshops to adults and delight in watching them discover the artist within.