ARTIST'S STATEMENT
All of my cactus paintings fall under one title, ‘Honoring Life's Forms’, with subtitles for each. Why cactus? Living in the desert in New Mexico, I see that even within this barren land, life continues and the cactus represent the miracle and determination of survival. I find that cactus can also mimic our own personal experiences. They cluster together, giving each other support as they form their own community. They also intersect each other's paths, much the same way we can have those special encounters as our lives intersect, momentarily, with others.
BIOGRAPHY
I was born into a family of artists in 1955 in a small farming community in northern Indiana. My mother and sister are both artists, and even my great-great aunt was an excellent oil painter. Art was a part of everyday life as I grew up, with art supplies just within an arm's reach.
In my paintings, I strive for a vision of the desert that is different and unique. My paintings are created with a distinctive process of mixing New Mexico sand with acrylic paint. The textured surface mimics the desert while I strive for color and the play with light reveals a brilliant and tactile moment of the desert cactus, fruit and flower. For me, cactus are symbolic of many personal characteristics. Even in this beautiful barren desert, they survive, and then they produce the most delicate blossoms. I think this duality prevails in all of us as strength and sensitivity, juxtaposed. In 2007, I was featured in a national cable series, “The Art of Living” on the Veria Cable Network. The segment, “The Painted Desert”, delves into the importance of art as an individual healing practice, a community experience, and a benefit for our society at large. The series continues to air this year.
My formal art studies began in high school and continued in college at Indiana University. I have been trained in several mediums, but I have always preferred painting with acrylic paints because they are fast-drying and nontoxic. In addition to canvas painting, I have done a series of murals in Indiana. They can be found in private homes, as well as public settings including Purdue University Memorial Union. My favorite artist has always been Henri Rousseau. Even as a young girl, I was entranced by his innocent depiction of nature's abundance. I see mystery and magic in his paintings, and I have always been enticed by nature's beauty – my favorite subject matter.
(c) 2007 Wild Dog Road Photography