I was born in Rhode Island and moved to North Carolina in my early teens. I ran away from an abusive family life at 16, I was given an arts scholarship to East Carolina University after graduating from James Kenan High School, thanks to an English teacher who took me under her wing.
I spent a few years traveling before settling in Roanoke. I received my Master of Arts and Liberal Studies from Hollins University in 2004. i am very grateful for the early arts education i received and the encouragement from my instructors and professors throughout my academic career.
i have had a private studio making and teaching art in Roanoke for over 25 years, and currently live and work in the Grandin neighborhood.

I teach drawing, painting, mixed media and block printmaking in my studio.i am constantly learning new things, and doing old things in a new way. I have been influenced by the friendship and mentorship of Suzi Gablik, after meeting and reading her book ,The Re-enchantment of Art. Suzi encourage me to continue to find ways to engage with my community as a working artist. Most recently i read this quote by Robert Henri, an American artist most known for pioneering an style of realistic painting known as the Ash Can School in the late 1800’s,. i read it in a book by Rick Rubin titled The Creative Act: A Way of Being. “The object isn’t to make art, its to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” I love this thought, and how art is this special way to create that wonderful state. Art can connect us to our inner selves, to others and to artists from the past, Our artwork,and our ideas can leave a legacy to artists to come..

I want to host a series of art-supply exchanges, where folks can bring art materials they are no longer using or are inspired by, and take something that lights a new creative spark. it would be held in each of the four major areas of the city, NE, SE, Sw and NW , encouraging folks to come out of their ” comfort zones’ and mix and mingle with new friends. I know i can get a ton of mat board donations from local frame shops. Along with the art supply exchange i would have a space for artists to bring artworks made from recycled materials to display. Groups that work with children would be encouraged to come and to pick up donations at the end of the event like the West End Center and the Boys and Girls Club., We can highlight arts projects like the Daisy Art Parade, encouraging foks to imagine re-using materials for their parade props.

I think this will be a fun, low stress social event for all ages ,that will inspire folks to be generous, which is always a good feeling! It will make people happy to give things to others that may need them, and also venture out of their own neighborhoods. it will make folks happy to get new materials to create with! Maybe we could have a special prize for folks who have created a work of art from materials collected at each swap? It would show folks that art is WIDE and anything can be used with a creative twist. Art making doesn’t have to be exclusive to those who can afford expensive materials, Repurposing and reusing materials is good for the environment, Making art out of things that would otherwise end up in the landfill is a gentle way of educating folks to be more mindful of the amount of waste they create.also hen folks work with free materials thet are more “free” in expressing themselves.
Having artists be able to show work they have created will be really fun and inspiring ,too.

I think this would have to be a summer or early fall outdoor event.

I would be happy to partner with Clean Valley Council and Star City Composts but i just got this idea yesterday and I will have to ask them . Also Hannah Patrick from LEAP would like to host one event in a community garden.

I would love for this to be so successful we realize we need a permanent arts exchange and display space in Roanoke! I Personally feel the need to keep things moving and not hoard art supplies, but i also don’t want to waste things. So , i am thinking – If I need this, maybe other folks do too!

Volunteers! donations! People to take unchosen items to Goodwill.