I am an artist, painting the spirit of nature.
I enjoy using a variety of visual elements to create unique interpretations of ideas, topics, and subjects.
Approach
Approach
Using acrylics, collage, markers/pens, or watercolors, I create abstract and impressionistic art. A variety of visual elements creates my unique interpretations of ideas, subjects, and topics. Exploring and using all these mediums has brought me a lot of joy.
Brief Bio
Brief Bio
I have spent most of my life in the Northwest corner of the U.S.A. In elementary school, an artist trained me during the summer months. My late aunt, Velma, was an artist and my art mentor. When my son was a toddler and wanted to finger paint, I painted with him. After five minutes, he had moved on to other activities, but I was still painting and have continued since. To me using the primary or secondary colors allows the colorblind, like my husband, to enjoy the art. My subjects tend to be landscapes and animals from what I have seen either in person or in pictures. In animals, I am looking for the personality or emotion of the moment. Landscapes, I like to capture the intensity of the colors or the motion of nature. I thank God for the opportunities to paint His beautiful creation. For me, painting brings me joy and peace as well as a closer discussion with our Heavenly Father.
Visual ElementsVisual Elements
Acrylic paints
Collage
Markers or Pens
Watercolors
After deciding that oil paints were too stinky for my comfort, I moved to using the fast-drying acrylic paints. The wonder of acrylic paints is the intensity of the shades or values. I was less likely to muddy the palette and keep the crispness of the colors with each stroke. What a joy! I like having the paint dry quickly. It satisfies my need to complete things quickly because I usually am painting in between other tasks I do for the family or as a businesswoman.
Collage has not only been mainly used in most of my abstract images, but it also allows me to add a small visual element to a larger mostly acrylic painting. Examples of grass on the beach, a lighthouse on the hill, or lace used for a waterfall. Art pieces that are mostly collage would include a zebra drinking water or the abstract mailbox. Sometimes decoupage is used when I draw an animal and cut it out placing the animal on a painted background.
For me markers give me a sense of playing like I would do in elementary school and bored. The use of markers or pens in my art can be seen in the entire whales piece or the fur on the bear. I also like how they add depth to the paints. When applied, some of the markers seem to float above the paint.
For me, when I want to add drips and transparent colors as visual elements, I like watercolors. Examples of transparency would be the abstract Lion or Pig. I also like using watercolors as a wash to an acrylic painting.
Gallery
Red cardinal
Size: 9 x 12 inches paper Made with markers, acrylic paints, watercolor and paper. Description: The beautiful red Northern cardinals love to sing. The Lord sings over us, his children: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Koi fishpond
Made with acrylic paint and paper on canvas. Description: Koi fish with their bright oranges against the deep blues of the pond draw us into their world.
Bobbing whales
Made with markers on watercolor paper. Description: Can you visualize the dolphins and the whales breaching, jumping, and playing around? God created joy and playfulness in these creatures. Whales could be one of the singers of the sea because their communication methods include whistles, barks, and screams. It is a joyful noise!
Mailbox
Size: 9 x 12 inches paper framed with a 11 x 14 matte. Made with paper collage with acrylic and watercolor paints. Description: This image is an abstract approach of the old fashion American suburbia mailbox in front of the small one-story house. The front yard usually had a beautiful mature tree in the front yard that was wonderful for climbing.
Bowl of Fruit
Size: 9 x 12 inches paper framed with a 11 x 14 matte. paper collage with acrylics and markers Description: Jump for joy into the vibrant colors of fresh fruit.
Abstract Fleur de Lis
Size: 9 x 12 inches paper. Made with paper collage with acrylic and watercolor paints. Description: The purples and pinks crown this display of abstract fleur-de-lis. Touches of burgundy and green paint finish off the painting along with the other random paper.
Mountain scenery
Size 16 x 20 inches canvas Acrylic paint. Paper created the tree in the foreground and lace was used to create the waterfall. This is a typical mountain scene in the Cascades where rhododendrons grow as trees, not bushes and the peaks are sharp, with an edge.
Millpond Road
Size: 16 x 20 inches canvas Acrylic paint A peaceful historic road where old lumbermill workers used to live. A tree was planted in the front yard of each home along this road.
Sunset with turquoise
A peaceful sunset with beautiful shades blues, browns, and turquoise. Size: 16 x 20 inches canvas (framed 20 ¼ x 24 ¼ inches), Acrylic paints
Send me an email
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