Where are you from originally?
Rochester, NY
What is your medium?
Oil on panel or canvas, charcoal & graphite drawing
How has Buffalo influenced your work?
I have found Buffalo to be very supportive; there is such a great community of artists here, and housing/studio space is VERY affordable!
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Animals – especially dogs including my greyhound Turner, animal advocates like Temple Grandin and Cesar Milan, hiking in Letchworth State Park, Celtic art, medieval painting
Name an artist (or more) that most inspires you?
Giotto, Inness, Kahlo, Rivera, Kiki Smith, Sue Coe
What is your preferred subject matter?
Dogs, the landscape, primitive and religious ornament
How do you feel you can best advance to the next level, or are you most happy where you are now?
I am seeking gallery representation in other cities; I am also applying for artist residencies as I have summers off
What is another medium that you would like to learn? Or that you have already learned?
I would love to take a class in encaustics; I was a printmaker for several years and would like to pick it up again using the newer less toxic materials; I also love working in clay and hope to do more
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
Yes, I advocate for animal rights through my work
How often do you work on your art?
Almost every day; I also teach art full time at Mount Mercy Academy in south Buffalo but I average around 20 hours per week in the studio, more in the summer. (I just rented a larger studio space that is within walking distance of work and home)
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
I have needed to create art ever since I can remember; my dad used to bring home huge white rolls of paper from Kodak and I would spend hours drawing; I was a very quiet kid but I threw my lunchbox down the cellar stairs in 1st grade because they would not let us draw in class anymore! I have always wanted to be an artist.
Have you been schooled in art? Are you planning on attending art school? If so, where?
Yes, I went to MCC and RIT, and received a BFA from SUNY College at Buffalo in 1987 and an MFA from Vermont College of the Fine Arts in 2005 – (they have a great low-residency program)
Where is your favorite venue in Buffalo to exhibit?
The Burchfield Penney Art Center
Is there a gallery in Buffalo that you would like to show your work in, but haven’t yet?
The Castellani, Nina Freudenheim, the Anderson Gallery
Where did you learn your craft?
I first taught myself how to paint using a How To Paint book; one of my local mentors while I was earning my Masters Degree told me how to paint using the oil wipe technique that I presently use
What are your strengths?
Drawing, my energy level, perseverance, staying focused, juggling many tasks at once, being frugal!
What are your weaknesses?
Making lists that I don’t always use, fear of failure, watching movies when I should be in the studio
Who would you most like to sell a work of art to?
Anyone who values animals and the human animal bond
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The freedom of painting whatever I want to say; and when someone feels a strong connection with my work
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
The business end – I wish I had a secretary
Is there another local artist who you would like us to interview?
Jerome Mach, Steve Strickland
Where is your current/next show in the city? Dates? Opening night?
Members show at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center in May. This is the last week of my installation “Anatomy of a Sight Hound” in the Museum Room at the Burchfield Penney Art Center
Anything else?
I am having a show at the Erie Art Museum in 2013
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