Artist Statement

I strive to convey raw beauty and emotion in my watercolor paintings through an up-close perspective with composition, color and light. My primary source of inspiration comes from the beauty of nature and life around me. I am passionate about watercolors, they are a challenging, magical medium. Being an artist to me is an amazing, unending journey of discovery and development.

As a small child I was inspired creatively by watching my father and grandfather create stain glass windows and glass cut work. At a young age I was amazed by my ability to draw. My mother recognized my talent and encouraged.  I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan School of Art. Upon graduation I worked for several companies doing graphic design and illustration on the east coast. After several years I moved back to Michigan and started dwb Design Studio, winning hundreds of awards for my clients . I have taught graphic design and painting at the college, regional and local level. Helping a student grow as an artist is very rewarding.
Currently I paint,  teach and display my work in juried, solo and group shows. I have been fortunate to win regional and local juried and people’s choice awards. My paintings are in numerous corporate and private art collections. I am proud to be the Immediate Past President of the National Watercolor Society and Signature member as well as the past President of the Michigan Water Color Society and Great Lakes Fellow.

Solo Exhibits

• Cause & Affect Gallery 2021
• "Art for the Spirit," Beaumont Hospital 2018 - 2019
• Brighton Art Guild "Best in Show" 2018
• Brighton Chamber of Commerce 2017
• Flint Institute of Arts, Founders Gallery 2016
• Shiawassee Arts Center 2016
• Flint Institute of Arts, Founders Gallery 2015
• Little Professor Book Store Paintings 2006
• Greater Flint Arts Council Paintings 1988 1996 2003
• Flint Public Library 1999
• The University of Michigan Hospital 1996
• Citizens Bank Gallery 1995
• Bishop International Airport 1994
• The Labor & Science Museum “Michigan at Work” Watercolors/Video 1993
• Two Man Exhibitions
• Fandangles 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
• The Edge Gallery Fenton 2010 2011 2012
• Brighton District Library 2012
• Greater Flint Arts Council 2010
  

Two Man Exhibitions

• Fandangles Gallery 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
• The Edge Gallery Fenton 2010 2011 2012
• Brighton District Library 2012
• Greater Flint Arts Council 2010

Juried Exhibitions

• MWCS 75th Annual Exhibition 2022
• MWCS Outside the Box Exhibition 2021
• NWS-The First 100 Years with the Hilbert Museum of Art CA 2020
• Michigan Water Color Society 2020
• BAG Kaleidoscope Winners Circle 2019
• Fallbrook Art Center Annual World of Watercolor & Beyond Signature Show 2019
• Michigan Scapes 2018
• Richeson International Exhibition "Landscape" 2018
• American Watercolor Society 2018
• Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 2017
• Northville Art House Grade Wash Competition 2017
• Michigan Watercolor Society 2009 2012 2013 2016 2017, 2018 2019 2020, 2021, 2022
• National Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2016
• ​Muskegon Museum of Art 88th Regional Exhibition 2016, 2017, 2018
• Our Town, The Community Center 2014 2015 2016, 2017, 2018
• Northville Art House 2016, 2017
• ​Studio West Competition 2015 2016
• Artprize 7 Fifth Third Bank 2015
• UM Alumni Show Juried by DIA Curator 2014 2015
• UM Dearborn Exhibit 2009 2013 2014 2015 2016
• Shiawassee Arts Center Multi-Media Juried MI Competition 2013 2014 2015
• EMU Master Show 2013
• Art Harvest Show 2012 2013
   

Exhibitions

• NWS Volunteer Exhibition 2021, 2022
• Cause & Effect Gallery 2019, 2020
• Shiawassee Art Center FAM Exhibit February 2018, 2019, 2020
• Buckham Gallery ArtPrize Exhibit February 2016
• Buckham Gallery FAM Exhibit January 2016
• Saginaw Art Museum 2016
• ​Studio West 2016 2015 2014 2016 2017
• Kettering Humanities Art Center 2015
• Mott Community College Gallery 2015
• East End Gallery Marshall 2014
• Greater Flint Arts Council 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015, 2023
• Kaleidoscope 2012 2013 2014 2015,2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
• First Merit Bank
• Fenton Winery & Brewery
• The Slusser Gallery UM Alumni Show 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
• The Edge Gallery Fenton 2010 2011 2012
• Genesys Spring Fest Exhibit 2006 2007
• Flint Institute of Arts 2011 2012 2015 2016
• North Shore Art Center 2007 2008 2009
  

Curated Exhibitions

• Michigan Water Color Society Chairpersons Exhibition 2019, 2023
• National Watercolor Society, H2OMOG! Watercolor Gone Wild Exhibition at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center  2018

• Michigan Watercolor Society 2020
• Michigan Watercolor Society 2019
• Richeson Landscape International Exhibition Finalist 2018
• Kaleidoscope Show Award 2018
• Richeson International Exhibition Portrait Notable 2018 
•  Kaleidoscope Show “Best of Show” 2017
• Artist Magazine Annual Competition Finalist Landscape category 2017
• 2nd Place Northville Arthouse Graded Wash Competition 2017
• Michigan Water Color Society Award 2017
• National Watercolor Society Signature Membership 2016
• Michigan Water Color Society Award 2009 2012 2013 2016 2017
• Flint Institute of Arts “Paint Out” People’s Choice Award 2015
• Flint Institute of Arts “Paint Out” People’s Choice Award 2014 
• Greater Flint Arts Council Annual Members Show “Honorable Mention” 2015
• Greater Flint Arts Council Members Show “2nd Place” 2014
• Kaleidoscope Show “Honorable Mention” 2015
• Kiwanis Art Fair Fenton $1000 People’s Choice Award 2013

•  Art of My Own
• St. Joseph Mercy Health System
• Michigan Transportation Authority
• Genesys Health System
• Hurley Medical Center
• McLaren Hospital
• Numerous Private Commissions
• Several Commissions that are part of Federally Funded Collections

My City Magazine 2022  

Southwest Art Magazine January 2018 Issue