PRINTMAKER & MIXED MEDIA ARTIST
MY ARTWORK
When a viewer makes a personal connection to and finds meaning in my artwork I am thrilled. I respond to the world through drawing, painting and mixed media collage, but primarily I identify as a printmaker. My inspiration is drawn from a wide range of subjects including the human figure and landscape. I spend time quietly observing before making rapid energetic sketches. After I am familiar with my subject, I slow down and hone in on edges, textures and negative spaces, creating slow contour line drawings. I delight in details that often go unnoticed by the casual observer. My drawings are the beginnings of prints and the emotional energy that is gathered in them infuses my finished creations. I hope this is what viewers connect with and respond to.
PRINTMAKING
Printmaking is the art of making multiples of an image. Through various processes involving ink and an assortment of materials I create an image on a surface that is then transferred to paper, often with the use of a press. Prints can be created as one-of-a-kind mono prints or as exact copies, called an edition.
I work largely with mono prints. This keeps image making fresh for me. Working with a variety of printing methods is a dance at the press which leads to ever more experimentation and exploration. In addition to my pursuit of printed images, I also create mixed media collages and sculptures, as well as hand printed pillows and bags.
ASHEVILLE PRINT STUDIO
Seventeen years ago, I discovered a then new product at a summer printmaking workshop. Akua ink - a soy based safer printmaking solution which was my ‘aha’ moment. Delving into safer practices without solvents or chemicals opened a world of safer printmaking possibilities including Mokuhanga, Mokulito, Gelli plates, mixed media prints and solar plate matrixes.
In 2019 I fulfilled a long time dream and opened ASHEVILLE PRINT STUDIO in the River Arts District of Asheville,NC. This special printmaking studio, which offers classes and workshops, is committed to safer eco-friendly printmaking practices which is great for visitors to the studio and for my own health too. As an artist and arts educator, it is the best of both worlds - I have a nurturing place to teach and a joyful place to create!
BIOGRAPHY
I am a native New Yorker, who worked as a NYC public school art teacher. After teaching thousands of students in a variety of schools and levels but primarily at the elementary level, my passion to educate and continue learning is strong. Since retiring I have taught numerous adult printmaking workshops at the School of Visual Arts, The National Art League and NYC Urban Sketchers. I now teach various printmaking classes and workshops at my arts business ASHEVILLE PRINT STUDIO.
In 2018 I moved to Asheville, NC. I hold a BFA from School of Visual Arts and an MST from Rochester Institute of Technology. My professional affiliations include 310 Art Gallery, RADA and the Asheville Printmakers. Over the last several years my artwork has been shown in numerous galleries and institutions across the country.