Art Experience

I earned my BFA from Anderson University, Anderson, SC in 1999, graduating with honors. I worked at The Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, taught art classes in a local private school, worked in an art co-op, sold paintings for private collections and participated in multiple community volunteer projects. These projects included healing arts retreats through nonprofits such as Foothills Alliance in Anderson, SC, community murals such as United Way of Seneca, SC, and donating paintings directly to non-Profits such as Foothills Alliance or for auctions benefiting community resources such as the American Cancer Society.

In 2010, I experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). What had been an active, full life was reduced to basics. I resolved to reestablish my life and my art. At first, I used rubber bands to hold the brushes in my hand, and gradually recreated myself as an artist. “WILL PAINT FOR CHANGE” was my first painting after the TBI. It captures my belief about the changing, healing power of art. It was purchased by my former painting professor for Anderson University. It was featured in an alumni show and the painting was used in the promotional material for the show. 

I continue to work, sell and donate art. I have over 200 pieces in private collections across the country. My projects include work as an artivist. In 2017, I designed a mural in Flint, MI painted with the community to bring attention to the water crisis. Pictures of the mural went viral on multiple social media sites and were used in the promotional material for the Goldman Environmental Prize. in 2018, when a pipeline planned to go through the Blue Ridge Parkway brought environmental concerns, including water contamination, I worked with organizers and provided banners and flags for events. I also continue working with healing arts projects. In 2018, I led mandala workshops for a healing retreat at the Historic Yellow Sulphur Springs Healing Arts Studio, in Christiansburg, VA. In 2019, I launched the Prayers For Peace Project on social media. Based on Tibetan Prayer Flags, participants could decorate a blank flag to represent their thoughts on peace. Blank flags could be requested via the internet and returned. Requests came both locally and from across the country. The 250+ flags received were all tied together and displayed at the Gateway Arts Center in Westminster, SC and then again at the First Church Redwood City, UCC in Redwood City, CA. I focused on online sales after Covid, but I am enjoying getting back out there in person. In 2023, I won the Viewer's Choice Award at the Juried art show for the Pickens County Art Museum, Pickens, SC. In 2024, I became certified in therapuetic art coaching. And most importantly, I continue to create art.