My Background:
I grew up in France, and London, and Brussels. My parents loved every moment of living in Europe and were friends with several contemporary artists, whose children I played with.
From these adults I absorbed a love of all things beautiful, into the most humble of daily details. The fields of agricultural France, the beauty of a glass of wine. Both were part of the same thing, and my practice still continues that way. Life was not allowed to be ugly, there was no point. Beauty, and an understanding of the why of it, of our perception of it, is still the point of art, and living, to me.
At Williams College, I studied politics, economics and art, both history and studio, under Tom Krens, Whitney Stoddard, Lane Faison and E.J. Johnson, then went on to focus on architecture at the University of Pennnsylvania. Art and architectural history have always informed my practice of both architecture and fine art.
Earning a graduate degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, I began a career in architecture, working in New York City, winning a Historic Preservation award for work renovating a brownstone on Gramercy Place. I also worked in New Jersey, and in Grenoble, France, where I was part of the winning design team for the 1992 Olympics ice skating rink, and for the city hall in Chambery, France.
Upon returning to the United States, I gradually left architecture behind, and focused on my first love: art. I also started rowing, and solitary early hours on the water, the mists and the reflections of lakes Lillinonah and Waramaug, led me to paint, and through art, attempt to share the chaotic daily beauty that surrounds us.
Major influences: Pierre Bonnard, Bernard Cathelin, Nicholas de Stael, Joan Mitchell, Wolf Kahn, and so many others...
Education:
Williams College, BA, 1978 magna cum laude with concentrations in Art History and Studio Art.
Sotheby’s works of art course, London, GB 1978-1979
University of Pennsylvania, M. Arch 1982
Figure drawing, the Art Barge 1999
Theories of color, the Art Barge 2000
Oil Painting, the Art Barge 2001
Studied Oil Painting under Ira Barkoff, Washington Art Association, Washington, CT 2007-2020
Studied the figure in sculpture under Mary Adams and Jon Reideman, 2016 to present
Pastel workshop, Wolf Kahn, National art Academy 2011
Painting workshop, Eric Aho, 2014, 2016
Art Students League, Casting in plaster workshop 2022
Figure Drawing and Anatomy: A Sculptor's Perspective with Tony Antonios, 2022
Other Experience:
Pro Bono:
Washington Art Association Exhibition Chair 2016-2018
Washington Art Association Exhibition committee 2013-2015
Washington Art Association Exhibition graphics designer: 2013-2019
Curator: Washington Art Association exhibitions “Rivers Alive” (2013) and Bye, Bye Birdie (2021)
Instructor, Washington Art Association, Washington CT
Exploring Still Life: 2018- 2020
Bonnard still life Workshop, 2019
Exhibitions and Collections
Solo shows:
2019: Woodbury Library Gallery, Woodbury, CT.2016: The Silo Gallery, New Milford, CT.
2015: Marty's cafe and Gallery Washington, CT
2014: “Kilmer woods” Minor Memorial Library, Roxbury, CT.
2012: Nine Main cafe and gallery
2011: ”Landscapes of Memory” Marty’s Café and Gallery, Washington CT.
2011: “Capturing Light” Gunn Library Gallery.
Group Shows:
2021: “New Growth” juried show, Washington Art Association, Washington, CT.
2020: Arts Alliance of woodbury, Ct. juried show, Award for “best still life”.
2020: “Lay of the Land” juried show, Washington Art Association, Washington, CT.
2020: “People in Places” juried show, Washington Art Association, Washington, CT.
2020: “New Blooms” juried show, Washington Art Association, Washington, CT.
2019: “Circle of influence, Ira Barkoff and the washington Art Association, Minor Memorial library, Roxbury CT
2016: nationally juried exhibit, Eric Aho juror, Washington Art association
2014: “Sphere of influence; Ira Barkoff and students, Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, Ct.
2013: “Triptychs, landscapes by 10 artists”, Good News Café Gallery, Woodbury, CT.
2012: Pia Sjolin Design “By the Beautiful Sea”. Farmington, CT
2008- 2022: Washington Art Association Members Show. (third prize in painting, 2016)
Collections:
Union Savings Bank Headquarters, Danbury CT
Form Energy, Somerville MA.