Biography Artist Statement Art Education
Degrees and Credentials Affiliations

BIOGRAPHY
While living in the East Bay in the 1970's, I discovered Chinese Brush Painting and was so taken with the medium that I enrolled in a class at the University of California Extension with Chinese master Shiou-Jang Hsieh. Subsequently I was fortunate to study in private classes with him for twelve years. In addition, I enrolled in most of the drawing and painting classes at Laney and Merritt Colleges in Oakland.

I exhibited and won awards in juried shows with the Oakland Art Association and The Society of Western Artists. The University of California Gallery on Laguna Street in San Francisco hosted a one-person show of my Chinese paintings. Since moving to Sonoma County, I have continued to participate in juried shows:

• The California Watercolor Association Annual Shows,
  2004 and 2006
• The Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County Aqua Areas Shows,
  1999-2006
• Gallery I and Pelican Art Gallery group shows

My works were exhibited by Halem and Company on Healdsburg Square for two years. In addition, my paintings are shown in many venues sponsored by The Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County.

• MOST RECENT:
  • Annual Windsor Fine Arts Show 2007:
    • First Place and Honorable Mention
  • Featured artist at the Aurora Colors Gallery in Petaluma, CA, in the "Eastern Winds and Cherry Blossoms" show March 24th through April 21st, 2007.

In Sonoma County, I found a vibrant, active community of watercolor artists in many different styles. I decided to learn western watercolor and synthesize that approach with Chinese philosophy and painting traditions.

I continue to show and sell my work in my studio, juried art shows, art fairs, and venues. I soon will be offering Chinese Brush Painting classes in my studio. If interested in attending, please contact me.

ARTIST STATEMENT
The spontaneity and flow of the Chinese style has an integrity that celebrates natural form, no matter how small. I see nature's pattern, color and line that can be expressed with ink and watercolor in spontaneous strokes that show the "Chi" or spirit of the subject. Good paintings always have it. This spirit moves through the artist to the painting and out to the viewer. The joy of panting is finding the unifying pattern of life in natural forms and recreating that form with integrity.

Successful Western paints have "Chi" also. As I continue to explore, I relish the challenge of this medium. For me it is a synthesis of Chinese teaching with myriad Western watercolor techniques. Putting together diverse elements and discovering what happens is a continuing joyful challenge. As an artist my journey is to create a new vision.

ART EDUCATION
Chinese Brush Painting with Shiou-Jang Hsieh, 1966-University of California Extension, Berkeley, CA
Chinese Brush Painting, small group lessons in Mr. Hsieh's home, 1967-1980, Berkeley and Lafayette, CA
Laney College, 1972-1976, Oakland, CA 166 units, 3.90 GPA
Merritt College, 1978-1979, Oakland, CA 60 units, 4.0 GPA
University of California Extension, 1979, San Francisco, CA
Watercolor Workshops, Sonoma County, CA, 1998-2006
Susan Adams, 2003-2006, teacher/mentor
Intensive Studies Seminar, Taos, NM, 2006

DEGREES AND CREDENTIALS
B.A. English and Education, San Diego State College, 1958
Secondary Life Credential, The California State Board of Education, 1965, Sacramento, CA
Junior High Life Credential, The California State Board of Education, 1967, Sacramento, CA

AFFILIATIONS
California Watercolor Association
Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County
Windsor Arts Council
Society of Western Artists, 1975-1980
Oakland Art Association, 1972-1980