I paint about being a woman, distilling my experience and desire onto canvas. I reach back to reclaim and push forward for representation of art from a female perspective, claim my creative authority and the right to name the sacred. Artmaking becomes an altar to authenticity.

My intention is to honor Diversity as an embodiment of Beauty & vice versa. I challenge prevailing assumptions of beauty, to include the excluded: diversity, change and the aging process. I see these as complementary, harmonious. This is a teaching of Nature. 

My intention is to be a Witness for the Defense of Earth. Nature shows me natural cause and result. I paint for justice, as natural consequence. Therefore I must question the definitions of ‘natural’ and unnatural’. All things are of the earth. Drawn to images that present surprising combinations and paradox, I seem to be invited/compelled to put together unusual unions that celebrate what I see as a metaphor for coexistence. 

My intention is Interdependency. What happens when the vision of one individual meets another? How do our similarities and differences coalesce? We can be different together: We explore the edge, the blend, the mix. Perhaps not always in balance, but complementary. If not harmonious at least supportive. Enjoying the luxury of freedom with respect for the community.

My intention is to share the silver linings. As a young woman my body was my canvas. I paint my face, adorn myself, decorate my room. Struggling for identity I create a perfect persona: false but powerful, it preserves me for a later time. After too many years in the fashion/beauty industry, I find myself sketching in a life class again. I develop a deep appreciation of how each model’s attitude toward herself and her work reflects into my sketches. Exhibiting my Women of Watercolor I receive requests for portraits; these sessions become containers for shifting body image issues. My experience in women’s circles and recovery programs inspires me to design private and group opportunities to explore our creative authority. A shaman once told me that “There are a lot of women waiting to speak through you." Afraid of how this might manifest I asked “Could I answer this with my art?” I trot along, soaring and stumbling, following what I came to call “The Women”, symbolizing an ancient current ? / the muses? / a fierce feminine-ist energy daring me to say Divine.