Artist’s & Writer’s Statement

Artist’s & writer’s statement: Creative writing and painting surge within me in response to a vast, mysterious world.  Through creating, I fight my way through surface impressions; press beyond darkness and affirm that it can never overcome light; and explore emotions and energy beyond where words can reach. I unearth a place of goodness and hope. I find the mystery of God’s relentless presence with us.

For many years, working in international relief, I questioned whether creative expression could urgently or adequately address the evils I witnessed in the world. It felt too slow and clumsy to reverse urgent emergencies such as poverty or abandonment. But it was a language that refused to be silenced; and I now believe, communicates the heart in ways words cannot express.

When creating images, I mix media freely, although watercolor or printmaking techniques often form the first layer. In writing, I build fiction worlds informed by my experiences around the world. In everything I create, I most long to capture glimpses of God’s Presence with us.

Through painting and writing, I see.

Exhibits (click links to view art)

2022

Kreuser Gallery, Miniatures, Colorado Springs, CO (invitational)

• Immortal Seeds, Spring
• Nascent
• Evanesce
• Abundance

Poor Richards, Rico (one-person art exhibit)

• over 20 pieces

2021

Edward A Dixon Gallery, Joy (this is just what I needed) online exhibit, Dayton, OH (open)

• Becoming (2)

Kreuser Gallery, Gratitude exhibit, Colorado Springs, CO (juried)

• Hide Me in the Cleft

2018

15th Annual Sunny Vista Art Show, Colorado Springs, CO (juried)

• Mathare Valley Children #2, 2nd place, photography
• Mathare Valley Children #1

2017

Thompson Valley Art League National Fine Art Show, Loveland, CO (juried)

• Arise (1)
• Arise (3)

2016

Gallery at Studio j, November exhibition, Denver, CO (juried)

• Arise (1)

Cottonwood Center for the Arts: “Text_Message,” Colorado Springs, CO (Juried)

• See You
• Hope Rises
• Through

Kreuser/AHA Galleries: “May Flowers Bring Art Showers,” Colorado Springs, CO (Juried)

• Offering
• Spring

Shine Like Stars, Castle Oaks Covenant Church, Castle Rock, CO

2015

Colorado Springs Art Guild Spring Show 2015: Impressions (Juried)

• Safe Passage, 2^nd place

Shine Like Stars 2015: Colorado Springs First Friday gallery

• Orphan
• Rescue
• Children of Mercy
• Orphans in Nepal
• Sacrificial Love
• Carried
• Whatever it Takes

2014

Flourish Freedom Sunday “Rise Up,” Colorado Springs, CO (collaborative exhibit for human trafficking awareness event)

• Offering
• See You
• Children of Mercy
• A Prayer for Haiti
• Holy Ground
• Weeping With Us

Colorado Springs Art Guild Spring Show: Metamorphosis (Juried)

• Weeping With Us, honorable mention
• Holy Ground, honorable mention
• A Prayer for Haiti
• See You

Sunny Vista Art Show, Colorado Springs, CO (Juried)

• Safe Passage

Colorado Springs Art Guild Regional Autumn Show (Juried)

• Just to Touch the Hem
• Whatever It Takes

Flourish First Friday Art Exhibit, Colorado Springs, CO (collaborative gallery)

• Whatever it Takes
• Called
• Weeping With Us
• Children of Mercy
• Holy Ground
• Quelled
• Safe Passage

2013

Flourish Freedom Sunday “Rise Up,” Colorado Springs, CO (collaborative exhibit for human trafficking awareness event)

• Orphans In Nepal
• Orphan
• Summoned

Modbo Small Works, Colorado Springs, CO (Juried)

• Canoe
• Autumn Grasses

2012

Colorado Springs Art Guild Spring Show 2012 (Juried)

• Carried, Best of Show
• Summoned