Art for the Joy of It – Artist’s Statement and Bio –
After growing up as the third generation in Lemont, Illinois, I raised my family in Lockport and currently reside in Bolingbrook. Art and Natural Science were always foremost in my activities. As a child, if I wasn’t drawing pictures, I would be leading the neighborhood children on a hike in a neighboring wood.
Schooling began at the Art Institute of Chicago in my teen years. A BS in Ed in Physical Science and Fine Art were obtained from Northern Illinois University.
Once my family was raised I earned a MS in Ed degree in Strategic Human Resource Development from the University of Illinois. I also received a Bachelor’s and a Master’s certificate in Art from the Morton Arboretum. A highlight in my art career was to have been chosen as the featured artist in the Spring’s Nature Artist Guild Show, 2013.
My art has been exhibited at many libraries, hospitals, private art shows and art studios. It has been published in “Seeding the Snow;” “Wordeater;” and the “Nature Artists Quarterly” periodicals. I have been fortunate that my nature art works are in several private collections. Recently, I have earned seven merit awards for my art work. I am a member of the Nature Artist’s Guild, Morton Arboretum in Lisle; and the DuPage Art League in Wheaton.
The Morton Arboretum has always been a special place for me. As soon as I could walk, my parents took me to the Morton Arboretum. I don’t know what season is the most beautiful; the wonderful daffodils in spring; the vivid greens of summer; the fantastic color of fall leaves or the fantasy of a winter snowfall.
Nature Art Objects are the subject matter that I enjoy most in creating art. There is no equal for the variety of shapes and colors in nature.
Although I work in many mediums, my favorites are acrylic, watercolor; pen and ink, and colored pencil. Drawing and painting are very meditative for me. Time stands still when I am working on nature’s beauty.