I have loved to create beautiful things as long as I can remember. The lovely,
intricate quilts and doilies my grandmother made by hand inspired me to learn
both skills at an early age. I completed my first quilt at 16; appropriately,
the pattern is called Grandmother’s Flower Garden.
Winning several high school Scholastic awards for Art ignited an inner
artistic flame that has continued to burn throughout my life. Writing, my
other creative outlet, was my career path after completing a BA in
Communications at the University of Akron. I continue to write on a freelance
basis.
While working in the corporate world, I attended a writing conference in
Boston and took a side trip to see an exhibit of paintings by Claude Monet
at the Museum of Fine Arts. Monet was able to stretch and grow as an artist,
particularly as he grew older. The name of my studio, Blue Bridge, is
a nod to the bridge over Monet’s lily pond and a reminder to challenge myself every day.
I regularly attend classes and workshops to learn new techniques. I enjoy
working in a number of media, including beads and wire, Precious Metal
Clay, textiles, and paper. I find that “getting away” from jewelry, for example, by creating a paper collage, or knitting, or painting, clears my mind and jump-starts new ideas. For me, it helps to keep my work fresh.
Thank you for your interest in my work!
Awards
Hats off to Libraries Contest, April 2008. First Place
Ohio Mart, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron, Ohio - October 2007 - Second Place Booth Award for Design and Creativity
The Greater Cleveland Art and Gallery Festival, Cleveland, Ohio - September, 2006 - Best of Show award for a handmade felt hat
Kaleidoscope Show, Summit Artspace - December, 2006 - Third place award for a handmade felt hat
Art-Rageous Fine Art Show, Chagrin Falls, Ohio - September 2005 - Second place award
Memberships
-Artists of Rubber City - Cuyahoga Valley Art Center - Akron Area Arts Alliance - Textile Arts Alliance/Cleveland Museum of Art
