Painter, sculptor, teacher, gardener, student, naturalist and outdoor adventurer. . . these are words I use to describe myself.
My interests interconnect. For example, my experience teaching art classes at Wisconsin Technical College led to creating Hogden Farm Studio, where I taught plein air painting in the gardens and renovated barn for many years. My love of painting flowers lead to creating multiple perennial gardens so I would have subject matter close at hand. I taught figure drawing because of an ongoing interest in the human form and how it moves. Now sculpture allows me to explore the body in three dimensions.
Plein air painting in numerous places far and near feeds my love of nature and adventure. When I am out hiking or biking I am also getting ideas and reference photos for my next painting.
I have competed in many plein air events with success but I am taking my work less seriously now and as a result I feel like I am living a more artful life in general.
I belong to Oil Painters of America and the Impressionist Society of America and from time to time I am accepted in their shows.
Although I have had my fair share of intense formal art training (University of Wisconsin, Art Students League, NYC), I take classes and continue a practice of my own. Most days I paint or sculpt in both my Wisconsin and Rio Verde studios. It is what I do!
“Tree Pose,” clay, 16”
“Hat with Flowers and Feathers,” oil, 20” x 20”
“Playground Monitor,” oil, 36” x 36”