About
From the earliest age I can remember, I have been designing and creating. From painting, drawing and needlework, to creating gardens and refining my culinary skills, I have always found a broad variety of ways to express my creativity. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Design at Purdue University, my career in art and design has spanned over 30 years. As a designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, I designed, shops restaurants, and attractions, for Disney theme parks in Paris, Tokyo, California and Florida. At the same time, I established myself as an accomplished Textile Artist, creating one of a kind garments and painted and printed home furnishings shown in various galleries in the U.S., as well as creating and producing my own line of wearable art for children.
In 2000, my interest in digital media led me to co-found a studio creating digital art for art licensing. In a span of 7 years, I worked with over 35 manufacturers of home and fashion accessories, toys, stationary, and art prints, creating art for a wide variety of products, sold at Target, Stein Mart, and Bed Bath and Beyond, to name a few.
I continue to do projects with the Walt Disney company, illustrating menus for the Coral Reef Restaurant, at Epcot, Walt Disney World, and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs, as well as teach painting workshops for the Walt Disney Imagineers, and in various locations throughout Florida, as well as private lessons in my studio.
Both my love of travel, and the opportunities that I have had, to live and work in Paris, France and Hong Kong, China working with Disney, have brought me full circle as an artist back to my true passion of painting. Working in watercolor and oils, I draw inspiration from the amazing people and cultures I have had the pleasure of experiencing and living among. Whether visiting a temple in China or Japan, or many of the astounding museums in Paris and Europe, I have absorbed and studied the rich cultural heritage of these places that profoundly influence my work.
My work is in numerous private collections in the U.S. and abroad.
Originally from Indiana, I live and work in Windermere, Florida with my husband and daughter.
Education
BS, Environmental Design, Purdue University
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena California
Associates in Art, Los Angeles California
Signature Member
Georgia Watercolor Society, GWS
Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, PWS
Louisiana Watercolor Society, LWS
Associations
Florida Watercolor Society, Board Member, 2019 President
Winter Garden Art Association, Advisory Board Member
Urban Sketchers, founding leader of Orlando Florida Chapter
Women Painters of the Southeast
American Women Artists
National Watercolor Society, Associate Member
American Watercolor Society, Associate Member
California Art Club, Associate Member
Hoosier Salon, Associate Member
Women Artists Mentors, WAM, a mastermind group of 5 artists that came together in the spirit of business and friendship. Members are: Kim Minichiello, Helen K. Beacham, Maria Bennett Hock, Debra Keirce, and Carrie Waller.
Southern Watercolor Society
Central Florida Watercolor Society