A little about me
I’m a creative problem solver by nature. I enjoy bridging research, analytical thinking, and organized processes with beauty, inspiration, and balance. As a visual communicator, that’s possible through so many different means—branding, print, web design, as well as fine art, illustration, and surface design. What is most important in the final form is that I’ve committed to my craft, explored something that myself—or my clients—are passionate about, and created the desired feeling as an end result.
Currently, I devote my creative time equally to surface design and illustration, watercolor painting, branding, and web design. I have over 15 years of combined print design, web development, and fine art experience.
A trip down memory lane
I grew up on a small horse farm that was surrounded by farmers who were in their 70s when I was growing up in the 1980s. I spent a lot of time exploring the landscape near my parent’s home. I have vivid memories of collecting and roasting chestnuts, picking produce, setting up a farm stand, riding horseback across the countryside, exploring the forest, foraging for berries, and many other land and animal adventures. Over time I’ve noticed that my creative work became clearly influenced by life’s simple pleasures—many of which can be traced back to my early childhood. Those ideas continue to resurface in my creative work and life.
Creative philosophy
Inspiration
As artists, I believe that our work is a compilation of our life experiences—that can translate so many different ways. We all collect experience and memories, which in turn informs our subject matter, style, and process. My work is heavily influenced by my memories—more specifically objects or simple pleasures that I’ve attached memories to. I tend to focus on memories that hold beauty or positive emotional value and explore those through my work.
Process
The beginning of my creative process is an evolution of time, thought, and resources gathered around a particular subject matter. The majority of the preparation is done in my mind and through research. Through reading, collecting visual references, storing information, note-taking, I gather inspiration and resources that inform my creative process. Only after gathering thoughts, resources, and ideas will I move to pencil, ink, watercolor on paper, and/or digital means. The medium I choose depends on how I envision the final form. I like to create work that is multifaceted in both form and purpose. Essentially, it can be used to enhance a brand or a physical space.
Form
One thing that has become particularly clear to me is how linear our language can be when describing art, creativity, and expression. I like to see past the limitations defined by society and create new ways for my work to live. As a visual communicator that is possible through so many different means. The final form of my work has expanded from a framed piece in a gallery to products that I love, surfaces that beautify my surroundings, or user experience in the digital world. What is most important in the final form is that I’ve committed to my craft, explored a passion, and created something that feels useful or beautiful as an end result.
Education
MFA in Communication Design, Class of 2020
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Post Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate, Class of 2011
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
BFA in Communication Design, Class of 2005
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Experience
Exhibits
Chester County Studio Tour, May 2023
50th Annual Notre Dame Fine Art Show & Sale, Villanova, PA, January 2023
Life’s Simple Pleasures, The Jeweled Warrior, Chester Springs, PA, Fall 2022
25 Days of Minis, December 2021
Resilience 2021, Crowded Castle, Phoenixville, PA, Spring 2021
Maureen’s Gallery, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, Exton, PA
Art Takes 2021, Ki Smith Gallery Harlem, NY, Spring 2021 (Honorable Mention)
Chester County Studio Tour, Spring 2020, Phoenixville, PA
Chester County Studio Tour, 2016, Phoenixville, PA
Historic Yellow Springs Art Show, Spring of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Historic Yellow Springs, PA
MBN Studios, November 2011 “Out in Out” curated by Michael Moore, Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Student Exhibition Spring of 2011, Philadelphia, PA
Heirloom & Co., 2009, 2010, 2011, South Coventry, Pottstown, PA
Scenes of the Schuylkill, Montgomery County Community College, 2008, Pottstown, PA
Gallery on High, 2006, 2007, 2008, Pottstown, PA
Art Attack, 2006, West Reading, PA