1. Why are you an artist and when did you first become one?
I have always felt innately artistic since I can remember. Everything I enjoyed doing involved drawing or making something. I would sit for hours drawing by myself or begging my cousin to create some crazy objects like paper shoes or different colored foods cut out of paper. My dad worked at a paper mill so we always had plenty of brightly-colored papers. My drawings started getting attention around age 2. Later in grade school, my teachers took notice of how advanced my art projects were and in high school, I won a few regional competitions. My grandmother was a fantastic oil painter and my mom and sister are just as good so it’s definitely in the genes. I didn’t realize I was an Artist in my entirety until I knew I wanted to paint full time as a career choice, around 2003. I am still an Artist because I catch myself smiling when I’m creating; that’s how I know it’s my destiny.
2. What is your chosen form of artistic expression and how would you describe your genre of art?
For the past 9 years, I have chosen to paint with acrylics on canvas and accessories. This includes small to large stretched canvases as well as leather handbags, wallets, belts and men’s silk ties. I am an Abstract Action Painter because my work is just as much about the interaction time I have with my paints and canvas as it is about the end result. I love how the variety of bright colors in acrylics allows me to express my broad range of feelings. I experiment by mixing in pastes, gels, sand & fabric to create 3D textured effects. Acrylics dry fast which allows me to work fast, expressing my ideas when I’m inspired. Using non-conventional methods and tools, I am able to create co-mingled colors and layers otherwise unattainable using brushes alone. My work combines many styles including: realism, impressionism and modernism; and rolls it into a new type of Art which is yet to be categorized. I like to think I’m modernizing the Abstract Expressionist movement from the 1950’s.
3. Who and/or what inspires/drives you as an artist?
I am inspired every day by something different. It’s unpredictable how my interactions with people, nature and technology will come out in my work. I enjoy the way things affect me without me even realizing until after a painting or a series is finished. I am greatly inspired by travel. I am hoping to drive from chateau to chateau in the Loire Valley of the French countryside, take in the Italian coastline and island hop in Greece soon. I have been lucky enough to experience French & European history and culture early in my career when I studied in Paris. The great masters have inspired me and the Musée d’Orsay is my favorite museum. Some of the Artists who inspire me are French Impressionists Monet & Renoir. I love the size of their work, color choices, heavy textures, French “joie de vivre” and the Parisian dress of proper gentlemen & ladies. I choose to draw passionate action & movement onto my canvases from Abstract Expressionists like Pollock. I am intrigued by Surrealists like Dali for his detail work on panels, his whimsical approach & the fact that he makes you think, question & look closer.
4. What is your artistic background? (How have you advanced your skills)?
I am educated in Art History, Drawing and Painting (Acrylics, Oils, Watercolors). I continually learn to experiment with new techniques and look for opportunities to expand my medium. Last year, I took a Creativity Workshop from a fellow Artist, Linda Celestian, which helped me free myself from using only certain abstract painting tools & techniques. The class helped me realize that a large part of painting is being able to write and talk about your work to easily communicate your idea to the viewer. It’s one thing to paint a beautiful picture, but it’s another Art all together to be able to express in words what you were trying to show with paint. Lastly, I constantly advance my skills by staying connected with other artists in the community to see what they’re working on and show my support by attending their events.
5. What do you hope to accomplish with your art? (What is your overall message or purpose?)
I want you to see Beauty, movement and color. I want you to experience a nostalgic feeling; like that of a perfect moment, a visited city, a smell, a hope or a personal relationship. I would like my Art to be remembered later in life as ahead of its time.
6. How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
I utilize my degree in French and International Business from Penn State University daily and diligently devote half of my time to the business side of Art. For things I cannot do, I hire creative specialists such as for photography (headshots, artwork, accessories) and promotional material; I hire Christian Kaye www.christiankayephotography.com The only custom artists’ website design company I can personally recommend is: www.transitdesigns.com Professional digital presentation of my Art is a key to my success. Marketing, organization and preparation for new shows are crucial to being a professional Artist. I am taking a series of online classes from an Art business coach, Alyson Stanfield. www.artbizcoach.com She keeps her content relevant and current to aid Artists in running a successful business and always has great tips.
7. How long have you been a Delaware resident and how did you introduce yourself into the Delaware art community?
I moved to Delaware from central Pennsylvania in 2001. From 2001-2003, I was busy creating new bodies of work so I could enter the Art scene in 2003. I started showing at a new venue on the Art Loop every month that year & the next, and haven’t stopped displaying my work since.
8. How would you describe your experiences within the Delaware art community? (Please provide detail regarding influential businesses/individuals/venues, local opportunities for career advancement, media coverage, significant events/contests, etc.)
My professional career as an Artist began in Delaware. I attended a Wilmington Art Loop meeting this year and realized that we have an equal, if not better, program than Philadelphia and surrounding cities. Wilmington facilitates the Arts and I’m proud to say I am an Artist here. Every year, new opportunities and venues sign on to the Art Loop, like Market Street (Film Brothers, Bloomsberry Flowers, Extreme Pizza), Faces First Day Spa, Fresh Thymes and many others. These venues open new doors for emerging and established artists to show their work in the area. A major event every year in Delaware is the Brandywine Festival of the Arts. I feel fine art does not sell as well as it should; crafts and jewelry do well. This is disappointing to me as a painter and I feel it does need to be addressed.
The DCCA (Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts) hosts art-related speakers in a weekly lunch session called ‘Art Salad’. Recently, CFEVA (Center for Emerging Visual Artists) presented multiple opportunities for artists within 100 miles of Philadelphia. Spark and Out & About do a good job of letting everyone know about upcoming events. Advertising in these publications is expensive, as well as are local billboards, so I am looking for new ways to market in print and reach my target audience. I do not believe in submitting to competitions that require Artists to pay, nor do I believe in displaying on websites which charge to show your work online. In my opinion, they are not worth the expense.
9. Where is your favorite local art venue and why?
If I had to choose just one venue, I would say the DCCA. They alternate exhibitions every month and exhibit varied mediums. I don’t always agree with their choices but at least there is a vast range of Art.
10. What other interests do you have outside of art?
I have very little free time so I like to spend it with my husband, Christian, and my Yorkshire terrier, Monet. We like to cuddle by the fireplace and watch movies. Christian plays in a Rock n’ Roll band Done@21 so I attend their shows and get to hear the band practice new songs while I paint in my studio. I am an avid shopper and keep up with the fashion trends by reading magazines and supporting local boutiques. I enjoy staying in shape by playing volleyball, riding horses, running outdoors & exercising at the gym during the winter. Pinterest is also a favorite pastime, which is very addicting.
11. What advice would you give to local, young artists that dream about becoming successful at their craft?
I would tell young artists to keep developing your skills and don’t be afraid to try new things. Even if you think you won’t like working with paper, or paint, or wood or you have already deemed yourself a metalworker, don’t be afraid to mix various media together and create your own type of Art. Social Media Art is something which did not exist before and we have young artists to thank for it. To be successful, you have to be able to take criticism and rejection over and over from many sources. Don’t give up! That one submission that you almost didn’t put through may just be the one that launches your career.
