Q & A  Artist Interview

How did you first decide to study art in college?
Growing up, I was encouraged to make art. Influenced by this passion, I faced a decision between pursuing the arts and a more conventional career path. Despite pressure to choose a "safer" field to avoid the "starving artist" stereotype, I realized that only a major in art would truly make me happy. This decision led to a BFA in Graphic Design, which ended up being a successful career in advertising. Looking back, I'm glad that I was able to make a decision that prioritized my happiness and ultimately led to a more rewarding life!

How has your style changed over the years?
Like many artists, I started out in realism. I became obsessed with developing my style. I found that I loved the looser style of brush strokes which translated into what I would describe as Modern Impressionism. My particular painting style is comprised of bold brushwork, vibrant color and examining the contrasting relationship between lights and darks.

Why acrylic paint as a medium? 
I never committed to a specific medium until I took a class in acrylic painting around the start of the Pandemic. Back then, I had time to practice my painting skills and experiment with acrylics. I love the fact that it is less toxic than oil, easier to paint in layers, and drying time is relatively fast.

What is a surprising fact about yourself?
I played the violin from age 9-14. I was a member of the Columbia Youth Orchestra. We played in front of several large concert audiences when I started to suffer from stage fright. I was so afraid of making an error that I would sometimes “fake it” by holding my bow above the strings and never making a sound with my instrument. I found out that I was an excellent actress! Of course, my stage fright would never allow me to pursue that avenue either.