I especially enjoy creating nature compositions from photographs I take while traveling around the beautiful state of South Carolina. I strive to lure the viewer into wanting to “be there” in the painting to look for what is not obvious. My art includes representational, dream compositions, and some objective abstract. Having begun painting in traditional transparent watercolor, I mostly paint and create collage on non-traditional surfaces using liquid and tube watercolor, gouache, acrylics, and self-printed papers.
The traditional approach to painting watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media is where I know what the composition will be before I begin the painting. It is predictable. However, many times the process begins with loosely pouring or rolling paint onto the paper or a polypropylene sheet (called Yupo), gently manipulating the paint to blend colors and make interesting textures, allowing the paint to dry, and developing the composition based on what the first layer suggests. This process allows me to combine imagined or suggested flora, fauna, insects, animals, and figures. Sometimes pieces begun with the pour method hang in my studio for weeks or months before they “speak” for development of the composition.
This approach to making art provides wonderful opportunities for happy accidents, flexibility to adjust the composition, and intrigue in the work.
Memberships: Trenholm Artists Guild (2011-12 publicity/newsletter, 2013-20 treasurer, 2020-23 co-president); SC Watermedia Society (President 2012, regional VP 2015-17, VP 2020, President 2022, signature member); Cayce Arts Guild (president 2017-23, 2024-25), Artists Guild of Spartanburg, International Society of Experimental Artists, Crooked Creek Art League (Still Hopes show chair 2019).
Select exhibits and awards:
• Cherokee Art and Visitors’ Center, Peaches, Beaches, and Bar-B-Que; 2015 honorable mention
• SC State Park Artist in Residence 2012 and 2013
• SC Watermedia Society juried exhibits: Florence, SC 2010 award traveling show; Myrtle Beach, SC 2016 award traveling show; Columbia, SC 2018 award traveling show; Florence, SC 2019 award traveling show; Columbia, SC 2022 award traveling show; Pickens, SC 2023 award traveling show; SC Watermedia Society Plein Air Event, Newberry, SC 2021 merit
• Trenholm Artists Guild, Columbia, SC; 2010 annual juried show honorable mention; 2012 annual juried show 2nd place; 2013 annual Still Hopes show 2nd place and People’s Choice; 2017 annual show 2nd place; 2018 annual show 2nd place; 2018 Still Hopes show merit; 2019 Still Hopes show merit; 2020 Still Hopes show 2nd place; 2022 Suzy Shealy Memorial Award; 2023 Still Hopes show honorable mention; 2023 annual show People’s Choice; 2024 Still Hopes show merit
• Cayce Arts Guild, Cayce, SC; 2021 annual Still Hopes show first place, 2024 merit, 2025 3rd place professional
• Artists Guild of Spartanburg, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 annual juried shows
• USC Salkehatchie ArtFlow, 2015 honorable mention
• SC State Fair, 2015 merit (amateur), 2021 purchase award professional; 2024 1st place print
• Fairfield County Arts Council 2024 still life show 3rd place
• Spartanburg Community College Giles Library gallery exhibit and artist’s talk 2024
• Vista Art Guild, Rooted juried exhibit April/May 2025 at the Richland County Public Library
• Crooked Creek Art League, Chapin, SC; 2019 Still Hopes show; 2020 Still Hopes; 2021 Annual 2nd place; 2021 3rd; 2022 patron; 2024 annual patron; 2024 annual donor; 2025 Still Hopes Best of Show; 2025 annual donor