I have been fascinated by glass since I was a child and watched my grandmother collect interesting but affordable glass and ceramics. Glass reminds be of a flowing liquid in permanent frozen suspension. 

I believe that as an artist you have to believe in your work and yourself first and commit to pushing your art career every single day.  I come across a fair number of people who will profess to be a "professional" artist (writers, painters, actors, etc.) but when you ask them what they are doing in their art career, I will often see individuals who are afraid of rejection and of putting their art work out there every single day for public review and comment.  A real artist is not someone who "plays the artist" because they think it makes them "hip" or "interesting."  Although this may be a cliche, most working artists will tell you that one should live and breathe your particular artistic area since it mostly involves long hours and a lot of work. I have worked to develop an extensive resume of serious juried exhibitions and continue to push my contemporary glass art more and more into the sculptural area. My art work often focuses on items in nature but with a contemporary and organic textural "twist".

I strive to give my vessels and sculpture simple titles in order to allow the observer to bring as much of their own personal interpretation into the work as possible. I believe that the raw content of my sculpture (including vessels) can by viewed by dissecting sections, parts and/or the whole of the individual work. Raw artistic content is powerful, compelling and precise. Unlike the old negative adage that “an empty vessel makes the most noise“, I believe an “empty vessel” can make the most convincing noise.

My two greatest artistic influences are Andy Warhol and Gustav Klimt, both painters.  I admire Andy Warhol for his striking use of bold color and Klimpt for his use of an almost glass like jewel-toned approach to some of his paintings. 

 

Art Related Education/Teaching

 

1995-2004 Arlington County Parks and Recreation  Department, VA, classes in stained glass, painting, photography, and ceramics, including open ceramic/pottery studio

1999 Virginia Stained Glass, Springfield, VA, intensive classes in fusing and slumping glass

1999-2001 Creative Clay Studios, Alexandria, VA, ceramic classes

2000-2001 The Art League School, Alexandria, VA, photography and art business classes

2003 Warm Glass Weekend Conference, Arlington, VA, classes in various aspects of fusing and glass casting

2005 Fraser Gallery, Washington, D.C.,  “Success as an Artist” seminar

2007 (October) National Building Museum, Festival of the Building Arts, demonstrated   kiln-formed glass techniques.

 

Awards (selected)

 

2008 Arlington Country Central Library, Recycled Art Exhibit, Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution

2008 The Art League, Torpedo Factory, Interplay: Humanity and Nature, Honorable Mention Award

2004 Selected as one of top seven visual artists by the Arts Council of Fairfax County (participants in the corporate art program) for 2003.  Invited to show art work at Annual Board meeting.

2002 Grand Prize Award for Best Display/Presentation of art work at Ft. Meyers, VA USO Craft/Art Fair

 

Solo Exhibitions

 

2007/Sepetmber, Artist of the month, Shirlington Library, Arlington, VA

2002  Gallery West, Alexandria, VA

 

Group Exhibitions (selected)

 

2008 Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, Art Anonymous

2008 Recycled Art Exhibit, Arlington Central Library, Arlington, VA

2008 Ikebana Exhibit, The Art League/Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA

2005-2008 The Art League/Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (numerous monthly juried exhibitions)

2007 National Building Museum, Festival of the Building Arts, Washington, DC, demonstration and display of art works

2007 Greater Reston Area Art Center, Art Auction, Reston, VA

2007 Arts AFire Gallery

2006 National Zoo, Black and White Ball/Fundraiser, auctioned work, Washington, DC

2006 Washington Square Sculpture Show, Washington, DC

2005 Washington Square Sculpture Show, Washington, DC

2005 Cox Communications, Herndon, VA (Arts Council of Fairfax County, corporate program)

2005 Computer Sciences Corporation, Alexandria, VA (Arts Council of Fairfax County, corporate program)

2004-2005  The Art League/Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (4 juried exhibitions)

2004 Invited to exhibit art work at 66^th Annual DC Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala, Washington, DC.

2003-2004 The Art League, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (3 juried exhibitions)

2003-2004 Logistics Management Institute, McLean, VA (Arts Council of Fairfax County, corporate program)

2002-2003 The Art League, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (6 juried exhibitions)

2003 National Capitol Art Glass Guild exhibit at Washington Technology Park, Chantilly, VA

2003 Artisans Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA, Juried Invitational show by members of the National Capitol Art Glass Guild

2003 Fisher Gallery, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria VA, group show by members of the National Capitol Art Glass Guild

2001-2002 The Art League, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (5 juried exhibitions)

2002 Millennium Arts Center, Washington, DC Glass Sculpture Invitational

2001-2002 Gallery West, Alexandria, VA (monthly member exhibits)

2000-2001 Wilson Center Gallery, Washington, DC (5 juried exhibitions, 1 non-juried)

2000-2001 The Art League, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA (2 juried exhibitions, one non-juried patrons exhibit).

 

Press Highlights (Art and Design related)

 

2008 Arlington County Government Newsletter, a photo of my recycled glass artwork was used to advertise/promote the Central Library 2nd Annual Recycled art exhibit.

2007 (September 6), The Washington Post, Home section, large photo and brief description (written by me) on my garden.

2007 (September), Artist Feature in Fairlington Villages newsletter, Arlington, VA

2006 (September), Artist feature in Elan Magazine (with numerous photos of artwork)

2005 Elan Magazine, February edition. A color photo of my fused glass seashell appeared in the calendar section.

2004 The Arlington Connection newspaper, Arlington, VA.  A photo (with caption) of my art work from an art fair.

 

Memberships