About the Artist
teachers often complained to my mom that I was sketching in class and not paying attention. As a native of Columbia, South Carolina, I was lucky to attend Dreher High School which offered an excellent selection of art classes under the instruction of Mozelle Skinner. Practicality replaced my dream of becoming an artist when I chose nursing as my career. I graduated from Lander College and later earned my BSN from Medical College of Georgia.
I began painting in watercolors in 1980’s but soon found nursing too demanding to continue painting. After retiring from a 38 year nursing career in 2003, my husband Jim and I along with our big cat, Slick, sold our home in Greenwood, SC and moved aboard our 38 ft. sailing catamaran, “Xanadu”, for a wonderful 6 years. We sailed the coastline from Annapolis, MD to the Keys and the Bahamas. During hurricane seasons we would dock in either Charleston or Myrtle Beach. Although I thought I would be able to paint aboard our boat, I quickly found that I was wrong because it was too windy and the cat loved to play in my paints.
In 2008 we sold “Xanadu” and moved into our home in Summerville, SC. I was motivated to begin painting again so I joined the Charleston Artists Guild and began studying oil painting under the direction of Joyce Hall , a well-known and respected Charleston artist and teacher. Some of my paintings reflect a few of my best memories including the Bahamas and the people there. Perhaps my knowledge of anatomy enhances my ability to paint the human form. I particularly enjoy painting portraits and love to capture people in the act of doing what they do and children at play. I frequently participate in shows sponsored by the Charleston Artists Guild. Recently I was honored with an award in the Charleston Artists Guild 2013 Signature Exhibit.Artist Statement
Oil paints provide a richness of color that enables me to bring a subject to life. Using a broad spectrum of color and values allows me to show little nuances of color that give my work a subtle luminosity. I prefer subject matter that brings back memories of pleasant experiences whether it be a special place, child at play, a plate of rich dessert or people just doing everyday things.Painting portraits is my passion. I find them especially rewarding because every person has their own story and it is my goal to capture that in my finished product. It is exciting to see a person come to life on my canvas.
