"Color is the power which directly influences the soul”
Color is part of my soul. I love it. Each one gives me a distinctly different feeling. I am also passionate about pattern.
My parents gave me a red Christmas cookie tin when I was 3 or 4 years old full of crayons, along with coloring books and paper. They said I was free to make whatever art I wanted. The crayons and tin became my happy place and went with me everywhere. I used the crayons to make pictures full of color and pattern.
I went on to receive a BFA in Communications Design from Syracuse University. My metaphorical “red tin” was now full of more creative tools to continue my journey as an artist. As a graphic designer and web designer, I took my passion for color and pattern and built a career I love. Working with clients to make their businesses better gave me a purpose: to use my artistic talents for the good of others.
Recently, I have started to do the same thing for myself, giving my “red tin” a deeper meaning — not only to create works of art that make me happy, but to use color and pattern to share with others that same sense of joy I have in my soul when I create. I want people to feel happiness when they enter a room containing one of my pieces.
My works on metal and mirrors have brought a whole new dimension – literally and figuratively, to my pop pieces and I am exploring all the ways to use this material for new and exciting work. However, I love the butterfly and all its meanings: rebirth, transformation, hope, change, life… My children used to love chasing them, too! This series of butterflies was made in collaboration with my close friend, an amazing artist in his own right, Craig Weinstein, (see his amazing work here). He took my idea for a sculptural painting and engineered them into the “canvas” I am using to create this work. I hope these pieces spark some “red tin” passion in you, speak to your soul, and I hope looking at them brings you many hours of enjoyment.
My artwork is displayed in many public spaces, including the Tamaques Park Pavilion, Westfield, New Jersey and a painting of mine is currently part of the Westfield Central Avenue Public Art exhibition. In July of 2020, my butterfly design was included in “Art Takes Flight”, an exhibition of 30 fiberglass butterflies displayed around downtown Westfield. That piece was the spark for my butterfly series. I was selected in May of 2024 to be the first Artist-in-Residence at the Westfield Memorial Library – a 3 month residency, where I taught classes, gave presentations about my career as an an artist and my artistic process, as well as painting and interacting with patrons on the main floor of the library. I recently had my own art show in December of 2023 at CASA by Cherry Home in Westfield, hosted by it’s owner Christine Escribano.
I live in Central New Jersey with my husband, two almost grown children, and my office mate and best buddy, Scout the Goldendoodle. Along with my graphic and web design work, I am a partner in a 501(c)(3) charity called The Birthday Box, which gives birthday parties in a box to children in need.
In my past design life, I have worked with Coca-Cola, Unilever, MasterCard, Tiffany & Co. and L’Oreal to name a few. You can hop over to my Design portfolio here.
Photography by Susan Cook Photography
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I promise not to bombard you and only to tell you about good things when they happen.