I've been an artist all of my life; drawing and painting as a youngster, and even taking photos with my little Brownie camera. Then as an adult, studying acrylic and watercolor painting, life drawing, digital art and graphic design. Yet, it wasn't until I moved to San Francisco that I gave myself permission to pursue my dreams seriously. In January 1997 I had the opportunity to live in San Francisco for 6 months; I stayed nearly 10 years. I set my sights on creating artwork, having a working studio, and getting into a gallery. For five years I continued to work with my marketing and graphic design business, and to get away from the computer, I painted faux finishes and did color consulting.
Creating Art In my studio at Hunters Point, I began experimenting with photographic processes including alternative Polaroid techniques. When I discovered the use of Polaroid films as a medium for my work, a deeper artist within me emerged. I was immediately attracted to the process because this unique medium allowed me to explore a wide range of creative possibilities. I was not only 'painting with light' but I was able to 'paint, draw, and sculpt' right on the film using hand tools to move the emulsion and get interesting effects. I had found a way to express myself using photography that had the painterly quality I was looking for. For several years I explored Polaroid image transfers, emulsion transfers, and SX70 manipulations.
Mostly self-taught, I’m a photographer with the soul of a painter. To me, it is more important to reflect a mood or feeling than to capture photographic detail. Polaroid films allowed me to do that. I often photograph old cars, bicycles, and vintage memorabilia because I like things that have character and history, and have a story to tell. I want my photographs to bring back memories and to evoke emotions in the people who view them.
Selling Art Creating art was only half the goal; the other half was selling it. I’m a graduate of Cay Lang’s Taking the Leap business school for artists in Emeryville, CA. I have taken numerous classes and workshops on marketing art, the business side of art, sales, and have read everything I could find on the subject. My MBA and marketing expertise garnered from running my own graphic design and communications company helped me understand what needed to be done to get my art out into the world. As a result, I participated in San Francisco’s Open Studios for five years, found a respected gallery to handle my work, and had my first one-woman show. It was also in San Francisco that I learned about licensing my images.
Teaching Recognized for my Polaroid SX70 work, I became a Polaroid Creative Uses Consultant and taught some photographic workshops at the Creative Growth Center in Oakland, CA.. While in San Francisco I produced a 3-day workshop for photographer Anna Tomczak using the large-format Polaroid camera in Tracey Storer's Calumet studio. I spent the next couple of years producing 20x24 Polaroid image transfers onto large sheets of handmade watercolor paper. After getting into licensing, Constance Smith of ArtNetwork asked me to write an article for Michael Woodward's book Licensing Art 101. It's called An Artist's Road to Licensing Art. I also taught a licensing workshop at the Brevard Art Museum School.
INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA I now live and work on a barrier island in Central Florida's east coast. I’m interested in taking my photography to another dimension by drawing, painting, and creating collages using my own photographs. I still enjoy traveling in search of interesting landscapes and still life subjects.