I am a Florida native who returned to the area from my adventures in 1997 after several years spent living and working abroad. I am an art educator and the Program Coordinator for VanGo, an art outreach program for the children of Volusia and Flagler counties. The program offers underserved children an opportunity to experience contemporary, original artwork linked to world art and culture.

I was born at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach and grew up in the area. I was powerfully drawn to the water at an early age, and have spent the majority of my life in, on or near the water. The ocean and the shore are enduring constants in my life.

The paintings in the “Beach Beauties” series are images that visually inspire and excite me. The images are from Ormond Beach, Costa Rica and Scotland. One of the most intriguing components of finding the images is the spontaneity and random nature of these small moments in time. I have been coming to the same section of Ormond Beach for most of my life, and I never fail to find new and interesting configurations of light, shadow, color and form.

The objective eye of the camera enables me to capture the details and the transience of the image. My challenge is to work from the photograph and rediscover my initial enthusiasm for the scene and translate that feeling onto the canvas. When I engage in the process of painting, I see each variance of light, color and shadow clearly and in detail. More than any other element, my love of color inspires and influences my work.