Year ending, 2013

The Annual Holiday exhibit at Artists' Gallery in Lambertville will continue through Feb. 2, followed by another group exhibit Lyrical, opening Feb. 8, 2014. On another front, I was also recently honored to be asked to jury the 2014 Works on Paper show at the Philadelphia Sketch Club along with two other artists. This exhibit's opening reception is January 5, 2-4 pm and will continue until January 25, 2014. I will have my work "Through the Shoals" (flamingos) exhibited.

As 2013 draws to a close, in time of reflection, my personal thoughts on art is that it is something I hold onto like a life-preserver (or a security blanket). Even over the recent rough patches, where I wasn't able to actually produce anything tangible, I was still able to create both mentally and in form of simple sketches—which I feel are now a wealth of ideas to keep me busy for quite some time (not to mention new ideas). My paintings are a reflection of my experiences and thoughts, through my connection with the animal world using watercolor as my language.

Happy Holidays, and Happy Healthy New Year to all!

The "C" Word

I’ve spent quite some time thinking about whether I wanted to blog about this or not, but during this October awareness month I have decided that I would. Since this is a blog related mostly to my art, I intend to keep it that way—I thought I’d reflect on it from that point of view.

This past July I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and have been going through treatments ever since. The prognosis is good, so I’m very eager to try and get this behind me and continue with my life, I’m currently in a second round of chemo with a long road yet to travel.

So, those of you who follow my blog and website, may have noticed a lack of activity, and that is the case… I have not spent a great deal of time actually painting these days, but I have spent a lot of time reflecting about my art, it’s direction and what it all means to me. I have a lot of sketches, thoughts and reflection that I’m eager to see how this all translates back into my work. I feel as though I have perhaps an even deeper insight on what it is I want to accomplish.

I need to believe that everything has a reason, and am looking forward to seeing myself, and my art through to the other side.

I have tremendous support from my loved ones, close friends, and colleagues, but also from people I’ve only just met. I have heard stories from so many survivors and it’s given me strength. It has truly made me aware of how lucky I really am, and very grateful.