ITALY

Why I Cannot Get Enough of Italy

Studied under Italian trained artist Kamille Corry

However, I kept wanting more in my art education because I felt as if my art at the University was mostly to inspire an abstract artist, and although I like abstract art, I wanted more training in realism. After some searching I found Florence, Italy Academy trained, Kamille Corry, and her Atelier school in Salt Lake City. I submitted my portfolio and met her for an interview just so she could make sure I was a good fit. I was only going to be able to study part time - Wednesday evenings and all day Saturday, so I could fit this around my full time teaching position. In her course I was taught how to draw with precision using charcoal, how to create an armature for my clay sculptures of the hands and a bust - starting with the understructure of the bones and muscles before moving onto the outer form, how to make our own oil paints, how to use color in a painting, how to set up a composition, and how to draw and paint from a live model. All of this and more, I studied for about ten years when I finally graduated with my final piece of an Egyptian Goddess. During all of this studying, I still taught full time, obtained my graduate degree, and worked in my downtown studio most nights and weekends when I was free. I still used photography - photographing the models I was working with as well as the supporting items I was going to use in my compositions. This was just the beginning of the digital age, and I was still trying to learn how to embrace this new form of photography. 

Art endorsement from Utah State Board of Education 

While working on my graduate degree in Gifted Education, I decided to pursue my art endorsement from the Utah State Board of Education. Over several years, I took many other art courses that were required, before I finally reached this goal. 

Art themes throughout the years 

In my paintings and photography I seem to gravitate towards themes. Some of my more memorable painting themes have dealt with the Divine Feminine, Tarot art, and florals. I have had some major solo and group art exhibits where I have displayed these images, and still have a collection of them available if you are interested. The florals will bring a softness and a vibrancy to your home in areas where you need a quiet space, and a place to just rest your eyes and look and look at all of the sinuous curves. The Divine Feminine pieces are bold, archetypal and are definitely conversation pieces. These pieces are for those of you who have studied or are interested in pieces that might strike a cord on some people. The Tarot Art pieces are definitely for those of you who want to meditate with a piece to bring into your life whatever you feel you need to work on. Currently, I am working on painting some of the birds I have encountered through my photography. 

Notable Awards 

As an elementary educator I always integrated the curriculum with the arts. Because of my efforts I was awarded the prestigious award as Art Educator of the year through the A.R.T.S affiliation for the state of Utah. Over my thirty years as a painter, my paintings have received many awards. Recently my painting of a Peahen won best of show at the Alpine Art and Frame Gallery during their Honoring Utah Artists exhibit as well as best oil painting through the Wasatch AAUW exhibit at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. 

Check out my Fine Art Paintings under my shop tab, and let me know what image might interest you. 

Contact me if you have further questions.