Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? Your family?
I was born in Texas, but my family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when I was very young. The abundance of cultural and performing arts meant that my sisters and I enjoyed endless opportunities to experience, observe, and learn from an early age. My mother, especially, deeply valued maker’s art in all forms- metalwork in bronze and steel, ceramics, porcelain, painting, collage, glass, any medium really as she appreciated the design process as well as beautiful and technically interesting pieces. Our home embodied my parents’ passion for Japanese minimalism with its clean lines and natural materials where each object possessed both beauty and purpose. The house was a collection that reflected their deep admiration for both the serene as well as their passion to support local artisans, an allure and intrigue I’ve carried with me throughout my life.
How would you say your background influenced your approach to painting? And at what age did you become curious about art?
I grew up immersed in culture and creativity, which greatly influenced my artistic perspective. As a child, my family would frequent museums, galleries, theater, ballet, and operas fostering my passion for art of all genres. My appreciation for painting developed further while preparing 19th-century artworks for auction catalogues. While in college earning a BA in art history, I served as a docent at the Arizona State Museum, guiding students through the indigenous American Indian exhibits. After a move to Dallas, I worked in galleries and museums and was inspired to pursue all things ‘interiors’, earning a second degree in Interior Architecture and Commercial Space Planning.
What inspires you, and how do you stay inspired?
For me, a blank canvas offers inspiration; an opportunity to challenge myself and to problem-solve! I envision what I would like to see as a possible outcome and then work backwards to achieve it. I laugh because I always pivot and re-imagine until I’m satisfied and arrive at a piece totally different from what I thought. Music and art exist side by side; the yin to its yang.
I often find myself painting to (an always amazing) David Byrne song, Dave Brubeck, or of course, to The Dead. I find amazement and joy in everyday moments- the color and intensity of a purply/blue sky that can’t be humanly duplicated; a well-designed and balanced room, or as mundane as how the fruit is displayed at the grocery store. My goals are for my paintings to tell a story.
How has this shaped your artistic philosophy?
My paintings draw from childhood memories and experiences shaped by my exposure to not only the rich culture of Asian influences at home and in the San Francisco Bay Area, but by the admiration I have for my parents who showed on-going support to me for pursuing a strong fine arts background. My mom’s profound encouragement to my sisters and me to tag along to the artist’s studios she visited, most definitely had a positive impact on us. She isn’t here to see my own art studio, but I know she would be so proud. My mom showed me that you can live a life full of color, or not. I love to travel in general as it offers perspectives like no other where your sense of balance is often disrupted in a good way. But my most enduring and magical influences come from being mom to my three sons.
What artists have had the biggest influence on your work?
I lean towards the early abstract expressionists, Kandinsky, Hans Hoffman, Rothko and Motherwell, where shapes and color, or the absence of, represent the story. I gravitate to the Bauhaus Movement and to the everlasting influences of those ideals; I am also a big fan of the Arts and Crafts style probably because of its obvious nod to Japanese design, as well as Mid-century modern architecture and design.
What is your artistic philosophy?
Everything comes down to perspective; the way I interpret ideas, feelings and emotions, that when combined, offer a visual diary of my life! I love to paint detail for realistic subject matter and sometimes others see things in my paintings that I do not. With each painting, however, I like to experiment with different mediums, styles and ideas, and I sometimes surprise myself when those ideals are realized.
What is your favorite traveling experience?
Being able to see the grandeur of historical art and architecture around the world, in person, have been huge influences. However, taking our (then) young kids to Alaska, and seeing their reactions of sheer amazement when they saw the gigantic ship we were about to board; the massive glaciers, vast open waters, and enormous whales up close, were unforgettable.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
I would like to have studied child psychiatry because I am fascinated by what motivates others and why. Although I have worked in the “helping biz” as an educational therapist assisting students and families for many years, I am winding down my career, but it is still so gratifying to see when a student finally “gets it”.
What do you most enjoy doing when you are not painting?
I love to spend time with Ronnie who is my biggest cheerleader and support. My little 13 y/o Havanese mix tolerates me and sometimes he has a likeable personality. I like to grow flowers and herbs from seeds; I love live music, good food, and of course, spending time with my favorite people-my three boys.
