My Art Education began at a very early age with my favorite hobby being “Paint by Number”. My mother and grandparents kept me well supplied. As early as eighth grade, I was fortunate enough to have an art instruction class. I chose Art as my Major at Northern Illinois University, and followed up in North Chicago at the Chicago Art Institute Adult Extension facility.
When I retired from my Marketing Management position in Cincinnati, I decided to take my art to the next level.
I was initially instructed by Susan Schuler, a very successful internationally known Abstract Artist. Susan held classes in her Kentucky studio, and gave me my first exhibition opportunity at her studio in 2010 where I experienced my first sale. Susan’s beautiful works are vibrant in color and contrasts, and she encouraged me with her great enthusiasm to enjoy the freedom of colors, and to “keep on painting!”
A week later I was accepted into an exhibition and continued to enter juried exhibits, and was offered a few solo exhibits. I was honored to be chosen as a member of the Hilltop Artists, a Cincinnati woman’s exclusive Art Club which has existed for over 70 years, holding an average membership of only 18 artists at any one time. Through this fine club, I attended several club exhibit opportunities.
I was fortunate to be instructed in a small class, then one on one, by Tom Dusterberg, an internationally known Commercial and Fine Artist. Tom quotes at a University of Dayton Exhibition he attended in 2000: "My paintings aren't meant to be simply decorations for people to hang over their sofas; I want my art to speak to people, to make them think. I want the images to resonate in their minds in a different way.”
He continues, "… I sense that a lot of people feel the need for and the reality of the Spirit. And art is a very spiritual thing for me."
Tom encouraged me to continue to pursue my art career and it was such an honor to work with him. He was a spiritual guide for me, indeed, and probably didn’t even realize it at the time. Thank you, Tom.
I am an 11 time Award Winner in the Cincinnati CityArt Annual Holiday Card Contest. In 2019, I was commissioned by the State of Ohio Legislature as the sole Ohio artist to design and paint the Statehouse Holiday cards that were distributed to the State legislators for their use and placed on display at the Ohio Statehouse Museum. I continue to pursue commissioned works.
Artworks of Cincinnati accepted my painting, “Riverside 3 a.m.” and constructed it as a mural on the trail Beautification Greenway Project in Covington, Kentucky.