MY STORY
Love + Mercy Triptych, Encaustic with ink, twine, tissue paper, oil sticks on wood panels,
6 x 6 each,
NFS
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Drawing, writing, singing and creating things have always been my constant companions. Even before I could spell many words, I would draw things to communicate. In fact, I got a in a bit of trouble illustrating my classwork to compensate for spelling in the first couple of grades. Later, this gift of combining communication with drawing and creativity led me to a long successful career as an award-winning graphic designer. After receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Middle Tennessee State University, experiences took me through positions in higher education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and later at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, as well as a decade in Christian publishing, and for a season of freelancing for some clients including Coca-Cola, Ballard Design, and Ernst and Young, The Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival just to name a few.
As my passion for designing waned, the stress of performance-based creativity began to feel like a wilderness. Then, as God directed my steps, a friend introduced me to a small group based on the book, Waking Up Grey, by Jennie Schut. The book and study is about restoring creativity and reconnecting with childlike faith and exploration. In the book, Jennie gives assignments to bring you back to the creative table… and for me that was the invitation I needed to begin to illustrate a new chapter as a painter. See my table top pictured here. From early on, the practices of writing and drawing along with music merged into an experience that brought me peace and solace in the midst of chaos. Before it was even called “flow” or any of those things, I found this place where trauma and busyness and anxiety could not prevail. Now, as an adult, I recognize that God has blessed me with this way to experience His peace. It is this peace that not only brings me healing and restores my soul, but also overflows into the artwork to touch others. It is my seat at the table - and one that you also have with a reservation and a name card. This relationship with God and creativity is what keeps me wetting my brushes and making marks. Today, my artwork varies from impressionistic watercolors to intuitive abstracts created with oil and cold wax and encaustics as well as acrylics. My paintings have been shown locally at the Murfreesboro Art League Gallery, the Center for the Arts and the Rotunda in Murfreesboro with an encaustic triptych receiving an honorable mention in the Second Juried Rutherford Arts Alliance Exhibition. In addition to exhibitions, I have taught an oil and cold wax abstract workshop and am planning to teach an encaustic/mixed media workshop in the next year. I also will begin taking a few commissions in 2022. |
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Teaching an Oil and Cold Wax Workshop at the Murfreesboro Art League
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