I am an Albuquerque native and lifelong resident of the North Valley. My grandfather came to Albuquerque in 1914 and established a dairy on North Fourth Street not far from my home now.
Growing up in the valley near the river, the Bosque, the huge cottonwood trees and the irrigation ditches all have influenced many of my paintings. Art has always been what I wanted to pursue. I am a self-taught watercolor artist. I learned my craft by reading many instruction books, going to galleries and attending art festivals and shows.
My work was accepted into a gallery for the first time in 1979. I also participated in the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Show, the Southwest Show and other local shows for many years. I am a signature member of the New Mexico Watercolor Society.
Artist Statement
I am a realist artist and find comfort in painting what I know. Scenes from the valley often appear in my work, as do the majestic cottonwoods, the agricultural fields, the beautiful acequias and the animals. Autumnal aspens, adobe walls and buildings, peaceful flocks of sheep, dusty pathways and distant mesas are also some of her favorite subjects. Her work celebrates the best of New Mexico.
Light is the most important part of my paintings. Sunlight gives an otherwise ordinary scene excitement and energy. The patterns and shapes of shadows become as interesting as the objects themselves.
I am especially drawn to transparent watercolor. Transparency is the glowing effect that results from applying paint in thin washes and allowing the white of the paper to replace the use of white pigment.
Inspiration to create paintings comes from my surroundings. My love of nature and light helped develop my artistic skills. There are few perfect compositions in nature and as an artist I am able to rearrange a scene. I paint images in nature that attract me by their shapes and patterns and the way light falls on them and brings out the color.
