Artist's statement

My paintings and collages explore the use of text, story and symbol. I try to incorporate these elements on multiple visual and

conceptual levels. Several themes seem to have emerged and informed my work:

-- the lovely organic shapes and bright colors of summer flowers led me

to explore floral compositions, particularly the lily as a symbol of the

Virgin Mary;

-- which led me to delve into the text of Mary’s song Magnificat, finding

the nuances of different words in English, Latin and Spanish;

-- which led me to explore the Hispanic veneration of Mary and her

Catholic history;

-- which then brought me to the rich historic artistic traditions and symbols of Mary’s Annunciation as seen through the eyes of

hundreds of artists;

-- which then drew me to focus on birds within the Annunciation paintings as symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Any or all of these ideas fill my head, hands and paintings – and I find collage the perfect medium for layering this context into my

compositions. I combine antique book pages, postcards and ephemera with linoleum prints, letter stamps and photo transfers,

and layer them with abstract and realistic painting and drawing, to create a rich surface that can be read on multiple levels.

Exhibitions

2007

Art at the Cathedral: "Themes for Advent and Christmas", Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, KY.

2007

"Words and Birds" solo exhibition, St. Mark's Library, General Theological Seminary, New York.

2007

"A Variety of Gifts" group show, Trinity Church Wall Street, New York.

2006

Panel member, "Art and Spirituality" forum, General Theological Seminary, New York.

2005

"The Vision Glorious: NY ECVA Artists Express Their Faith", New York.

2005

Grant recipient, "Art to Inspire" community project, General Theological Seminary, New York.

2005

10th Anniversary Commemorative Poster for West Tennessee Flower Festival, Memphis, TN.

2005

"Dress for Success" charity auction, Memphis, TN.

2004

“Blooms” Solo Exhibition, Theater Memphis, Memphis, TN.

2004

“Visual Essay – Magnificat,” The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts, New York.

2004

3rd Place Award, Helena National Bank Watercolor Exhibition, Helena, AR.

2003

“Garden Paintings” Solo Exhibition, Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis, TN.

1998

Alumnae Exhibit, The Hutchison School, Memphis, TN.

1992

Duncan Phillips Memorial Staff Exhibit, The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.

1990

Independent Study Exhibit, Duke University, Durham, NC.

1989

“Color in Life” Solo Exhibit, Flowers Gallery, Duke University, Durham, NC.

1989

Group Show, Royal College of Art, London.

Education

2005

School of Visual Arts, New York

2004

Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN

1994

Discipline Based Art Education, Getty Center for Education in the Arts, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL

1990

B.A. in Design, B.A. in Art History, cum laude distinction, Duke University, Durham, NC

1989

Summer Scholar Program, Royal College of Art, London, England