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From the Artist

 “Constantly painting and drawing since a very young age, I have also been fortunate to study under David Leffel, Quang Ho, Kim Mackey, Bart Lindstrom, John Budicin and John Hagen. Because my life continues to be filled with enough hardship to take nothing for granted, enough joy to thrive and a significant number of miracles, I strive to inspire hope through every painting. Bright or soft, a mix of colors makes me happy so my paintings are color-full. Variety is fun for me so I alternately work with oils, pastels, colored pencils, inks, and watercolors in many sizes. I am currently working in the distracted realism style: paintings with recognizable forms that are neither entirely realistic nor completely abstract, a new type of art I’ve invented to satisfy my desire for creativity and the decorative needs of clients. Given a specific size and color scheme, I can create commissioned works for any décor. It is my equal joy to paint and then to see my work at home in another’s environment. It gives me the greatest satisfaction to fashion unique works of art that will become a part of life.”

Current
1959-present – Painting, writing, sewing…making something every day!
2000-present – Grace Creations, LLC, Denver, CO, produces and markets handmade products and paintings sold in boutiques to benefit Art for the Nations
2004-present – Founder, Director of Art for the Nations, nonprofit

Education
1995-2003 – Fechin Art Institute, San Cristobal, New Mexico
1995-2000 – Art Students League of Denver
1974-1977 – Bachelor of Arts, Creative Writing, Plan II honors program, University of Texas at Austin

Professional Experience
2011-2015 – Wrote, illustrated and self-published one devotional book and two children’s books now sold on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, and in stores in Denver, CO and Punta de Mita, Mexico
2000-2010 – Taught after school and evening art classes for students ages 6 – 94 years
1995-2000 – Wrote newsletters and ad copy for Farm and Home Foods, Denver
1978-1982 – Denver Christian News reporter, book review for Bloomsbury Review

Galleries and Awards
• Philadelphia Sketch Club Exhibit 2021 • Banner Artist in Coronado, California 2019, 2021 2015-2019 • Represented by Galeria Corsica, Mexico, Art for the Nations, Denver, Colorado and Galeria Morgana, Punta de Mita, Mexico
• Juried into American Art Collector 2007-2019
• Featured in Studio Visit Magazine, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020
• Featured in International Contemporary Artists, Volume 3
• Five paintings in Rhonda Schaller, "Small Rays of Hope Exhibition," New York, 2007
• Paint America, 3 paintings awarded "Top 50 State Finalist," 2006
• Featured in The Artful Home Magazine, 2004-2005
• "Art for Designers Exhibition," Denver, 2003
• One woman shows in Vail, Colorado, 1998-2001, Punta De Mita, Mexico 2015, 2017, 2019
• Painting featured on the cover of Mars Hill Review, 1999
• First place painting, Littleton Cultural Arts Council, 1998

Personal
Born 1956, Cajun heritage, happily married since 1978, three children and nine grandchildren, two adopted from the Democratic Republic of Congo and one from Uganda. Blessed! Oh, and always at least two dogs.

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