"In both my work and life, the tension between control and surrender is one that I am continually working through, and that is reflected in my creative process. Layering soft organic shapes over wrinkled tissue reminds me of the inevitable scrapes and scars in each of our lives. Charcoal, for example, is a medium that I have almost complete control over, and I use it often in outlining. Contrarily, I have almost zero control over gold leaf -- and yet ironically it is among my favorite materials to work with. The balance of working to wield my craft skillfully while learning to embrace limitations brings up hard questions about lament, but the peace and joy that result go far beyond the metaphor."
Education
1995 – 1999 Harding University, Searcy, AR
BA Elementary Education
Art Minor
1998 Harding University Study Abroad, Florence, Italy
Concentrated Study of Humanities
2012 – 2013 Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
MA Illustration
Solo Exhibitions
2016 Deeper Truths, Hamilton Williams Gallery, Morganton, NC
Stories of Hope, Christian Learning Centers of Greenville
Feather: A Story of Hope, Hoyt Center for the Arts, New Castle, PA
2014 Myths and Fables, ArtWorks, Grove City, PA
Myths and Fables, Bottlebrush Gallery, Harmony, PA
2011 Look Closer, Bottlebrush Gallery, Harmony, PA
2010 Redemption Stories, Blue Heron Gallery, Volant, PA
Group Exhibitions
2016 His Story, Her Story, Hoyt Center for the Arts, New Castle, PA
2015 A Female Perspective, Pittsburgh, PA
Butler Institute of American Art Annual Exhibition, Butler, OH
Honorable Mention
2014 Grove City ArtWorks Opening Show, Grove City, PA
Autumn Art Walk, Grove City, PA
2013 Justice and Mercy, Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX
2012 Project Eve: A Celebration of Women in the Arts, Grove City College, PA
Featured Artist
Autumn Art Walk, Grove City, PA
2011 Okello: Wells for Africa Project, Grove City College, PA
Reunion Show, Blue Heron Gallery, Volant, PA
Artisans, Grove City, PA
Teaching Experience
2017-present Spartanburg Art Museum
creator and facilitator of classes and workshops - preschool to adult
2018-2020 TR Makers Co
program coordinator
instructor
2017-2018 Artios Academy
creator of K-8th curriculum
teacher of art history and hands-on art for K-8th grade
2014 LAYERS: mixed media workshop
creator and facilitator
Painting With Scissors Collage Workshop
creator and facilitator
Meet the Modern Masters: Art Workshop for Children
creator and facilitator
2011 – 2013 Grove City Christian Academy
elementary art teacher
1999 – 2003 North Little Rock School District
2nd/3rd grade teacher
Publications
Books: Feather: A Story of Hope. Pine Tree Publishing, 2015.
Childhood Rhymes. Pine Tree Publishing, 2015.
Book Contributions:
The Art of Storytelling. North Light Books, 2015.
Relax. Restore. Renew. North Light Books, 2016.
Articles: “Painting the Change.” Views and Voices August 2015.
“From the Artist.” Living the Grove April 2015. online.
“Artist Lost, Artist Found.” Cloth Paper Scissors March-April 2015: 94-95.
“Five Things We Love.” Pittsburgh Magazine February 2015: 35.
Affiliations
Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators 2014 – 2015
CIVA: Christians in the Visual Arts 2012 – 2015
Grove City Arts Council 2011 – 2015
Grove City Arts Council board member 2011 – 2014