Being the daughter of an artist, I have been around and involved
in art all my life. Like a lot of artists I got my traditional training
in drawing and painting skills and struggled to master water
colors. Never that happy with what I was doing artistically, my
art skills were pushed aside for other life pursuits. Choosing the
more financially secure route, I obtained my degree in business
from Florida State University and followed the corporate path in
marketing, first with Xerox and then later ending with Pfizer
Pharmaceuticals. Along the way I was always playing around
with my art. I never took it serious, but my innate sense for
creative expression was always coming out. And its probably
why as a corporate suit, I never felt like I was doing what I loved.
But none the less I made it work. I was bored with my art until, at
the encouragement of my dad, I took a mixed media course
under Pat Dews. I was hooked. I couldn't get enough of this
"new" way of art. I loved the freedom and the play, and the feel
of the new acrylic mediums.
It took the sudden deaths of 6 loved ones, and 3 direct hit
hurricanes over a 2 year period to get me to re prioritize my life
and change directions. During that period, I lost my husband
and then 18 months later my lifelong best friend Patty Harden
Boshel, lost her brief battle with pancreatic cancer. It was during
my last visits with Patty that my purpose in life changed
dramatically. Suddenly selling more Lipitor or Viagra was not as
important. I thought, what if my life had been cut short as Patty's
was, I would never know the passion and creativity that resides
in me. I will always be grateful for that gift of clarity. So on
September 1st of 2005, I left the financial comfort of Pfizer and
took a leap of faith into the wacky world of art. And finally, at
last, I have found where I belong.
I currently work in acylic inks,gels,paints,and gesso applied with
pallet knives and brushes in lots of layers. Sometimes I put
textile or paper materials onto the canvas among these many
layers, to give more surface texture and dimension. And the
colors I use are intense, bright, and pure. I very rarely mix colors
on the pallet. I usually mix and layer on the canvas. What
happens, is the piece then entices not only a visual response but a tactile one as well. The process is as much about the paint mediums as it is about the subject matter.
I love pushing acrylics and playing with
new materials. I just love what I'm doing. I've often said that if I'd
worked this hard for Pfizer I could have been the CEO!
I will always paint and live my life with gratitude, purpose and
passion in honor of my friend Patty.