My Story
Born and raised in Metro Detroit, my passion for creating art can be traced to a single memorable experience in a grade school art class.
While studying notable artists and their influential styles, a painting by Georges Pierre Seurat entitled ‘A Sunday on La Grande Jatte’ left a lasting impression. Seurat’s technique called Pointillism – applying small, distinct dots of color in various patterns to form a desired image – captivated me. To this day, I remember a silly tagline from a TV commercial highlighting his work – “Seurat knew a lot about dots!”
I spent several decades experimenting with various styles and mediums until I focused my efforts exclusively on the Pointillism style. Adding a unique twist to the technique, I replaced the paint brush with map pins while using a limited color palette. My palette consisted of only primary colors: red, yellow and blue, along with white, which are hand placed into definitive patterns on a black background to create both the illusion of additional colors and a three-dimensional appearance.
Unfortunately, later in life, I began experiencing episodes of Clinical Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These episodes would stifle my creative process for long periods of time. However, to overcome these debilitating episodes, I found that creating art was very therapeutic. Still today, producing art is an integral part of my continued recovery process.
In 2018, I began my first comprehensive pin art series entitled ‘Influencers.’ This 20-piece series centers on mental illness and its impact on celebrities including Taylor Swift, Mark Wahlberg and Kobe Bryant, among many others. These well-known personalities have been personally burdened with or became advocates for mental illness. Despite battling my own illness and experiencing a global wide pandemic, I completed ‘Influencers’ in four years.
In 2022, I produced a limited two-piece series entitled ‘Right Brain, Loves Trains’ highlighting a childhood interest – trains and railways.
In 2023, after relocating to Florida, my inspiration transitioned to the peace and tranquility of a coastal lifestyle. My new series of pieces can be seen under my Coastal Life page.
To this day, creative expression is a necessary part of my ongoing therapy to overcome my episodes of mental illness. As a result, I am a member of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for families affected by mental illness.
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Education | BAA in Graphic Design |
Emphasis in Graphic Design, Color Theory, Art Composition | |
Central Michigan University | |
Corporate | 2012-2016. Detroit Marriott Hotel - Detroit, Michigan Nine Pieces were commissioned for their Lobby redesign. |
Exhibitions | 2024. Art League of Daytona Beach
“Member’s Showcase” Art Exhibit: October 6th - November 8th 1st Place Award - 122 Total Participants |
2024. Became Official Resident Artist at Ocean Art Gallery, October 1st | |
2024. Ocean Art Gallery, Ormond Beach, FL
“Featured Artist for August - August 3rd - September 2nd “Pins, Patterns and Finding Peace” Exhibit |
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2024 St. Augustine Art Association
"History Through the Lens of the Artist” July 18th - August 25 Honorable Mention Award |
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2024. Art League of Daytona Beach
“Figuratively Speaking” Art Exhibit: June 16 - July 19th 3rd Place Award - 80 Total Participants |
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2018-2019. Inspire Galleries – Novi, Michigan | |
2016-2018. Artisan Art Gallery – Livonia, Michigan | |
2014-2015. Royal Oak Art Gallery - Royal Oak, Michigan | |
2012-2018. Artisan Art Gallery – Macomb, Michigan | |
Engagement | 2016. DESC Fundraiser - Detroit Michigan Donated Several Art Pieces for Auction |
2013. 8 Mile Boulevard Association Fundraiser – Detroit Michigan Donated Several Art Pieces for Auction |
CV
Education
- BAA in Graphic Design
Emphasis in Graphic Design, Color Theory, Art Composition
Central Michigan University
Corporate
- 2012-2016. Detroit Marriott Hotel – Detroit, Michigan
Nine Pieces were commissioned for their Lobby redesign.
Exhibitions
- 2024. Art League of Daytona Beach
“Member’s Showcase” Art Exhibit: October 6th – November 8th
1st Place Award – 122 Total Participants - 2024. Became Official Resident Artist at Ocean Art Gallery, October 1st
- 2024. Ocean Art Gallery, Ormond Beach, FL, Featured Artist for August – August 3rd – September 2nd, “Pins, Patterns and Finding Peace” Exhibit
- 2024. St. Augustine Art Association “History Through the Lens of the Artist” July 18th – August 25, Honorable Mention Award
- 2024. Art League of Daytona Beach, Figuratively Speaking, 3rd Place Award – 80 Total Participants
- 2018-2019. Inspire Art Gallery – Novi, Michigan
- 2016-2018. Artisan Art Gallery – Livonia, Michigan
- 2014-2015. Royal Oak Art Gallery – Royal Oak, Michigan
- 2012-2018. Artisan Art Gallery – Macomb, Michigan
Engagement
- 2016. DESC Fundraiser – Detroit Michigan, Donated Several Art Pieces for Auction
- 2013. 8 Mile Boulevard Association Fundraiser – Detroit Michigan, Donated Several Art Pieces for Auction