EducationTexas State University-San Marcos
MFA Creative Writing GPA 4.0
Baker University
B.S. Education GPA 3.8
Magna Cum Laude
AwardsIllinois Capital Development Board Art in Architecture Program
Waukegan Lakefront Campus, College of Lake County, Illinois 2024
My series, Choose Your Own Adventure (eight panels) was selected to be purchased for the Illinois Capital Development Board Art in Architecture Program.
The request for qualifications for artwork purchases was for the College of Lake County's new building at the Waukegan, Illinois campus. This beautiful building is located on Lake Michigan and carries an inspiring, modern design.
This state opportunity was available only to Illinois artists and had a record breaking 145 applicants. 26 artists were chosen. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my passion for learning with all who may study at this campus!
I wanted to create art that represents the various paths we may take when we become students. The eight panels I created may be hung in any order and in any direction. When we follow our hearts and minds we make decisions that inform personal growth. We choose what to study and begin to understand our authentic selves. We choose our own adventures!
Our adventures have various colors and shapes! Our adventures have highs and lows! Every experience leads to new experiences and we discover we are lifelong learners.
Artist in Residence
Robert T. Wright Gallery, College of Lake County, Illinois 2023
I was invited to be the first ever Artist in Residence at the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois
Working in an art storage room on campus I painted a 5.5 by 10.5 foot painting on wall-stapled canvas. My piece, If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now, was acquired by the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of art for their permanent collection (along with my painting, From Where All Things Breathe). Both paintings were featured in the gallery’s HOME Show, which featured art works from myself and three other artists in August 2023.
Critic’s Choice Award
In One Eye and Out the Other -Juror Ann Rintz
Lure of the Local Show
Mundelein, Illinois
2023
Honorable Mention
Beyond Coronaville - Juror Lee Stanton
42nd Annual Recent Works Show, Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2022
Robert T. Wright Gallery Award
While You Were Out - Juror Betsy Dollar
41st Annual Recent Works Show, Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2021
Award of Excellence
The Elephant in Our Room - Juror Diana Gabriel
40th Annual Recent Works Show, Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2020
Honorable Mention
Moksha: Release From Rebirth - Juror Diana Gabriel
40th Annual Recent Works Show, Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2020
Second Place Award
To Hell With Grief - Juror Dan Simoneau
What Do You Want to Say, Blue Moon Gallery
Grayslake, Illinois
2020
ExhibitionsLure of the Local
Critic’s Choice Award (Juror Ann Rintz)
Mundelein, Illinois
2023
HOME Show
Four Person Exhibition
Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art
College of Lake County, Illinois
2023
COLOR
ARC Gallery
Chicago, Illinois
2023
2023 Members Exhibition
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2023
42nd Annual Recent Works Show
Honorable Mention (curated by Lee Stanton)
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2022
41st Annual Recent Works Show
Robert T. Wright Gallery Award (curated by Betsy Dollar)
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2021
40th Annual Recent Works Show
Award of Excellence & Honorable Mention (curated by Diana Gabriel)
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2020
Three Person Exhibition
Blue Moon Gallery
Grayslake, Illinois
2020
Galex 54 National Competition and Exhibition
Galesburg Civic Art Center
Galesburg, Illinois
2020
What Do You Want to Say
Second Place Award (curated by Dan Simoneau)
Blue Moon Gallery
Grayslake, Illinois
2020
2020 Members Exhibition
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2020
39th Annual Recent Works Show
Robert T. Wright Gallery
College of Lake County, Illinois
2019
Chroma
Kavanagh Gallery
Fine Line Creative Arts Center
St. Charles, Illinois
2019