From childhood, the difference was evident. Just as Andrew Wyeth found joy, mystery, and fulfillment in the subtleties of white, black, sepia, and brown tones, I discovered color—all colors and every color! In first grade, my teacher handed me the first “big box” of crayons I had ever seen. The picture I drew used every single crayon in the box—including the silver one!
As the youngest of six siblings, growing up in rural Greenville, South Carolina, competition was simply a part of everyday life. If one of my siblings—or even my mother—could do something, I felt an irresistible desire to do it as well, or even better. My mother, a gifted artist, became my greatest inspiration. She nurtured my appreciation for color, music, style, performance, poetry, and, ultimately, drawing and painting.
In the early 1980s, I discovered a deep passion for painting wildlife. Through each painting, I sought to bring my subjects to life by capturing the expression in their eyes—the window to the soul. My work soon began attracting the attention of collectors and galleries, leading to exhibitions throughout Central Florida.
In 2010, my life took a new direction when I moved to South Carolina. There, I immersed myself in the local art community, taking adult extension courses through Coastal Carolina University. I continued my artistic education with private instruction on Pawleys Island and in Georgetown, South Carolina, where I also participated in numerous exhibitions sponsored by the Georgetown Cultural Council.
When you are visiting Downtown Stuart, Florida, stop by The 1895 Church of StuArt, also known as the historic Pioneer Church, and experience my original paintings in oil and acrylic displayed within one of Martin County’s oldest surviving historic buildings.
Art and history have a special way of speaking to one another, and this historic Pioneer Church church provides a lovely setting to enjoy nature-inspired works filled with color, emotion, and storytelling. 311 SW 3rd St., Stuart, Florida 34994
