I am married to my best friend John (19 years!). He is also a life-long learner; and is currently an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Our family at this point consists of two cats, Milky and Leo- they are my studio assistants. (They aren't very helpful.)
People that know me personally and professionally will tell you that I am enthusiastic and committed to everything that I do and that everything in my life is infused with my love for art.
Pic from my art studio located in my classroom at CMCP.
I am an ARTIST. I love making art! I am a trained artist. I studied art at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC where I earned a BFA in 2001 (double major Art Education and Textiles) and I went back for my MAEd in 2009. I have held solo shows of my work and participated in numerous art shows and exhibits. One thing that is unique about the way that I work is that I have taken on the challenge to create at least one piece of art each day for since January 1, 2012...and I am still going strong- year 12! I choose a theme for the month and then every day complete a piece within that theme. The result- thousands of pieces of art (yes, I sell it too- just contact me!) When I first began I worked more with my whimsical 'big eyed girls' portraits then I gradually moved more towards fashion illustration in the past few years. Currently I am struggling a bit with some pain in my left hand so I am working with my non-dominant hand creating more abstract work...and I'm beginning to see some fibers show up, an homage to my textiles training!
I am an ART TEACHER. I love teaching art!I have taught art in various grade levels, K-12 for over twenty years. I am a National Board Certified Teacher, licensed to teach art in NC and FL. I am a successful grant writer and am active in my state and local organizations. I have been recognized as Teacher of the Year Lake Worth Community High School, Indiantown Middle School and was also the Middle School Teacher of the Year for Martin County. I received a Muse Award from the Palm Beach Cultural Council (Liman Excellence in Arts Education) in addition to being chosen as one of the five arts teachers for the State Teacher Artist Residency program at the Hermitage Artist Retreat from the Florida Alliance for Arts Education. Oh, and I am currently the art teacher at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Florida and I love it! (GO LIONS!)
I aspire to be a MUSE. The only thing I love more than making my own art is inspiring others to CREATE! Yes, I do private lessons for children and adult- both in person and via Zoom/Google Meet. Yes, I love to facilitate workshops for large groups. Some of my favorite workshops to teach at my Mixed Media Fashion Illustration workshop, my Recycled Accessories workshop and also helping other artists/art teachers make more time for their art making via my 'Create MORE Art' workshop- I have presented these at FAEA conferences and with local art museums (Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach and Cameron Museum of Art in Wilmington, NC) and folks loved 'em. Contact me for more information about individual/group instruction and speaking engagements. (Disclaimer: I haven't been able to lose this southern accent, so you'll get the inspiration with a southern twang)