Visual Artist

I’m a native of Chicago and moved to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College. While there, I spent a semester in Avignon, France. It was a wonderful experience. Since college, I have lived in Minnesota.

I received my masters in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas in 1999. While raising my children, I explored my passion for art by taking many classes and workshops. I’m a strong believer that a person doesn’t need to be an art major or go the traditional route to becoming an artist, and that everyone is creative in their own way.

Mainly, I paint impressionistic and semi abstract land and waterscapes in soft pastel. I also enjoy working in acrylic, watercolor, photography and making various crafts. Recently, I’ve been learning more about painting in oil as well.

Travel is a passion of mine. Lake Superior is a frequent subject of my paintings. The North Shore of Minnesota is a spiritual and peaceful place to me. I love to take photographs and discover new ideas for my paintings. I look for something “magical” in a subject’s light, color and atmosphere.

I think the artists who have inspired me the most would be pastelist Wolf Kahn, with his beautiful colors and rural subject matter, and Minnesotan George Morrison who always loved Lake Superior, nature and the horizon line.

With my background in psychology, I am a strong advocate for removing the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction. I have been involved in several organizations, including Artability, We Can Ride, Little Hospice, and Mishawaka Foundation.

In addition to member and student shows, I have had shows at Kenwood Pet Clinic (presented by Framestyles), Albertsson Hansen Architecture and All Seasons Fireplace (raising money for ALS), all in the Twin Cities. I recently had an exhibition at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church.

I live in Minneapolis with my husband, Mike, and our big cat Milo. Our two daughters live in Minneapolis and Berlin.