Artist's Statement
Since childhood, I have been fascinated with the wonders of life found in the natural world. As a painter, I find that the natural world reflects my inner world, and so I use nature metaphorically, to express my personal experience. The seasons, and the palette of each, hold significance for me.
I paint on wood panel using the encaustic medium; a mixture of beeswax, damar crystals, and pigment. This is my primary medium. The hot, liquid wax mixture is painted, then fused to the wood with a propane torch. Many layers are put down and fused atop the first. Sometimes I collage, sculpt, and scribe into the work. This medium suits me because it has a warm aroma, a lush, sensuous touch, and an unrivaled luster. I envision each painting as a medley, a melded place, where both the gritty and sublime.
In the summer, I often work in other media, including sculpture, printmaking, and glass casting.
No matter what, I am driven to make art that is elemental and evocative.
Education
Extensive Post-Graduate Study in Printmaking, Glass, and Ceramics at Haystack, Deer Isle Maine, and Ox-Bow, Suagatuck, Michigan
Northern Illinois University, Master of Fine Arts Degree, DeKalb IL, 1990-1994
University of Illinois, Bachelors in Occupational Therapy, Chicago IL, 1976
Solo Exhibitions
Gathering, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago, Il 2007
Melting Palette, Quincy Art Museum, Quincy IL, 2004
Wishing, One Person Show, Lake County Museum, Wauconda Il, 2002
Selected Exhibitions
Finding Latitude, Two Person Exhibit, The Art Center of Highland Park IL, 2015
The Bobolink Proposition, Two Person Exhibit, Riverwoods IL, 2015
Landscape, Gullkistan, Laugarvatn, Iceland, 2014
Tethered by Feathers, Two Person Invitational, Lewis University, Joliet IL, 2014
Recent Works, College of Lake County, Grayslake Il, 2013
Tangible, Suzanne Randolph Fine Arts, Rotating Exhibition, New York NY, 2005
Edge, G.R.N’Namdi Gallery, Detroit MI, 2004
Waxworks 3, Gwenda Jay Addington Gallery, Chicago IL, 2004
Two Person Invitational, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield WI, 2003
Burning In: Four Encaustic Painters, College of Lake County, Grayslake IL, 2002
Departure: American Contemporary Landscape, Indiana University, Gary IN, 2001
Joanne Mattera and Friends, Art Mecca Gallery, Chicago IL, 2001
Beyond the Surface, Womanmade Gallery, Chicago IL, 2001
Awards
Artist in Residence Award, Gullkistan, Laugarvatn, Iceland, 2014
Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award, 2002
Cover Design for Allyn and Bacon Publishers, 2002
Lalla Anne Critz Scholarship, Ox-Bow, Saugatuck MI, 1998
Artist in Residence Award, Ox-Bow, Saugatuck MI, 1997
Recent Works Award of Excellence, College of Lake County, Grayslake IL, 1996
Collections
Kelly Williamson Co., Rockford, IL
Vallot Harp, New York, NY
Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago IL
College of Lake County, Grayslake IL
International Travel Services, Northbrook IL
Prudential Preferred Properties, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Schiff, Hardin, and Waite, Sears Tower, Chicago IL
Strauss and Associates, Bannockburn IL
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle WA
Contact
340 Stevens Court
Grayslake, IL 60030
847.899.3676