ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings emerge from the emotion I feel in the moment my brush touches a blank surface. I am a very physical and spontaneous painter. Moving back and forth with decisive brush strokes and dynamic gestures, I work rapidly to capture that ephemeral feeling in tangible form.

I begin without expectations and work on a subconscious level that disregards logic. Guided by a primal inner voice, I surrender control to the paint, the brush and a visceral process of creative discovery. I apply many layers to my paintings, leaving evidence of early marks as well, as a sense of my progression.

I observe everything in my life in great detail and am heavily influenced by nature, in particular the sky. My mark-making, though serendipitous, reflects these influences. I want the viewer to believe that my vision expands beyond the work itself to a universe I have created.

Painting in the genre of Abstract Expressionism, I feel a strong affinity for artists such as Joan Mitchell and Willem De Kooning, whose work also emphasizes action and emotion over ideas. I sign my paintings "Hope," not only because this is my middle name, but because this emotion truly inspires me.

EDUCATION

JD 1990   University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, FL
BSW 1986   Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

ART EDUCATION

2008   Painting Workshop with Jakki Kouffman, Taos, NM
2006-2009   Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
1991-2002   The Boca Raton Museum of Art School, Boca Raton, FL
1991   Life Drawing and Painting Workshop, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

2009   Center For Contemporary Arts, 8th Annual Collect: Inside 8, Santa Fe, NM
2009   The San Diego Art Institute, The Museum of The Living Artist, 50th International Award Exhibition, Juror: Julia Marciari Alexander
2008   Center for Contemporary Arts, 7th Annual Collect: Inside 8, Santa Fe, NM
2002   Cornell Museum, Inspirations 2002, Delray Beach, FL
2000   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Artist Guild Biennial Competition & Exhibition, Boca Raton, FL

GROUP SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2009   Artprize, Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI
2009   The Taos Gallery, International Group Juried Exhibition, Taos, NM
2009   The San Diego Art Institute, The Museum of the Living Artist, 50th International Award Exhibition, San Diego, CA, Juror: Julia Marciari Alexander
2002   Cornell Museum, Inspirations 2002, Delray Beach, FL
2002   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, 16th Annual Art Festival, Boca Raton, FL
2001   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, 15th Annual Art Festival, Boca Raton, FL
2000   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Artist Guild Biennial Competition & Exhibition, Boca Raton, FL
1999   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Artist Guild Gallery Exhibition (Images in March), Boca Raton, FL
1999   The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Artist Guild Gallery Exhibition (Images in Feb), Boca Raton, FL

AWARDS, HONORS & UPCOMING PUBLICATION

2010   Artslant.com, January, Showcase Winner
2010   International Contemporary Masters
2009   Myartspace.com, November, Featured Artist
2009   Artslant.com, September, Showcase Winner
2009   The Taos Gallery, International Group Juried Exhibition, People's Choice Award, 2009