Artist Statement

I choose to exclude no part of my life, of life itself from my art. The world is a hard place, littered with poverty, hatred, and ugliness of many kinds. I believe the juxtaposition, or the separation, of obscenity and loveliness is disorienting and unrealistic. Beauty can stand on its own, as can the unsightly. It is not simply “the eyes of the beholder.” It is the very nature of things. There is no shape, color, or condition in life that is, in and of itself, beautiful or hideous; certainly not to the gods. At the risk of sounding apotheotic, the world is a beautiful place.

I see the beauty in everything, even where others see only the ugly. My art, and I hope this is true, brings this perception to the many, all of the people, for them to see for themselves.

We must all leave this place. The means is part of my artistic analysis. There is nearly nothing ugly in it, but there is pain. My work attempts to expose it all.

I am currently working on a series of drawings relating to the tragedy of dementia in all of its forms. There are millions of us – wives, children, friends and family doing the same, and I hope to reach them all.

About the Artist

I’m a Detroit-based artist specializing in nudes and landscapes. I draw working primarily in pastels and charcoal.

Exhibitions 2022

Birmingham Society of Women Painters, The Scarab Club Jul. 2022
Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI Jul. 2022
Birmingham Society of Women Painters, “COVID Weary” Apr. 2022
The Scarab Club, Silver Medal Exhibition, Honorable Mention: “A COVID World”

Exhibitions 2020

“Plus One”, 333 Midland, Detroit, MI Nov. 2020
Grosse Pointe Artists Association, Grosse Pointe, MI Oct. 2020 2nd Prize
Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI Sep. 2020
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI Mar. & Sep. 2020
“Emerge Festival”, Hannan Center, Detroit, MI 2020
Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Sep. 2020
University of Michigan Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI Mar. 2020
Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors, Black Box Gallery, Dearborn, MI Mar. 2020
Costick Center, Farmington Hills, MI Feb. 2020
“Body Eclectic”, Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI Feb. 2020
“Small Works”, Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors, Costick Center, Farmington Hills, MI Feb. 2020
“Ode to Planet”, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI Feb. 2020
Artist Talk, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI Jan. 2020
“Dirty Show” Feb. 2020
University of Michigan Medical Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI Jan. 2020
“Best of the Best”, Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI Jan. 2020

Selected Exhibitions—Prior Years

Talk: “Alzheimer’s”, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI Dec. 2019
“Think Small”, Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI Dec. 2019
“Heart”, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI Nov. 2019
“Gold Medal Exhibition”, The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI 2011-2013, 2019
N.C.A. Auction, Detroit, MI Oct. 2019
Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI Oct. 2019
Swords Into Plowshares, Detroit, MI Oct. 2019
“Damned Show”, Tangent Gallery, Detroit, MI Oct. 2019
Art Olympia International Competition, Tokyo, Japan Jun. 2019 Honorable Mention
Arts Appreciation Award, Highland Park Business Association 2019
Michigan Fine Art Competition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI 2018 Second Prize
“Twisted Storytellers” Talk 2018
One Person Show, Affirmations Gallery, Ferndale, MI 2011
“Our Town Show”, The Community House, Birmingham, MI 2011
“Alumni Exhibition”, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2007-2013

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Mercy College, Detroit, MI 1964
Master of Fine Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1966
Print Making Classes, Wayne State University 1983-1990
Print Making Classes, Center for Creative Studies 1990-1993
Encaustic Workshop with Candace Law 2014

Experience

Owner & Operator, Byron’s Flowers, Detroit, MI 1969-Present
Drawing Instructor, Macomb Community College, Mount Clemens, MI 1966-69, 1982-85, 1992
Drawing Instructor, Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, MI 1986
Drawing Instructor, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 1969-75