Me at Keilder Water Birds of Prey Centre, Northumberland, England
I have worked as a full time zookeeper, raised countless animals, am a member of the Buffalo Ornithological Soc., NYS Bluebird Soc., the Buffalo Society of Artists. I love to be hiking with a sketchbook learning about nature! I have a BA in Art from Buffalo State, teaching experience grades k-12 and adults, I’ve studied at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, Canada and have illustrated for Nature Centers, books and a cd album cover.
For three years I worked as Co-Director at the Museum of European Art in Clarence NY where I helped to introduce upcoming local and international artists to the community. While I was here I developed a friendship with Dr. Wilson Greatbatch, inventor of the implantable pacemaker, that inspired me to pursue my love of painting. He believes as I do in teaching others, especially young people, about the fascinating world around us! I painted his portrait as you can see here.
Dr. Wilson Greatbatch and I pose with the portrait I painted of him while I was Co-Director of the Museum of European Art.
It was after working here that I focused my attention on my own painting and getting back to my love of working with nature, my first true passion!
I enjoy traveling and studying the local nature where I visit; I spent many weeks in 2008 in England then months in 2009, taking notes and doing painting and sketches in the field. I keep returning to further fall in love with the land and people of the UK, there is so much to be inspired by there!
I may even teach my painting and sketching classes if I find the right situation, let me know if you and a group of people may be interested in your area, maybe we can arrange something! I love meeting new people, and when students take my class, I consider them my lifetime students! I will always be ready to talk to you about what you’re working on and encourage you. I love teaching nature sketching, introducing my love of exploration of nature to others. Let me know if you want to take any of my classes!
I also have fine prints, note cards and original paintings of all my work for sale in my Zazzle Shop.
Contact me to inquire about originals or commissioned pet portraits or just to introduce yourself.
Art Exhibitions Upcoming and past exhibitions and events I’ve been in, click to visit page.
News Articles News Articles about my work, click to visit page.
My Equipment Here you’ll find pictures and descriptions of the materials I use to create my work.
My Recommended Books or Favorites Art Business, Art ‘How To’ , Nature Field Guides…
Groups / Organization Memberships:
Association of Miniature Artists ( http://www.miniatureartist.com )
Buffalo Society of Artists- Buffalo, NY, USA
Coquetdale Arts Centre- Rothbury, Northumberland England. ( www.coquetdale.org.uk )
Buffalo Ornithological Society
New York State Bluebird Society