About

I used to play with copying cartoon characters, doing craft projects in school and camp, but never did much original art work growing up (unless you count Paint by Numbers!). However, when I was in my early 20's, an artist married into the family. Ann Roman (the step-aunt) gave lessons so I decided to use my extra time trying my hand at it. Ann was a wonderful mentor and a few years later I started exhibiting in art fairs, most notably the Gold Coast Art Fair.

I did not have a lot of time during the school year to paint, but always attacked it again during my summer vacation. Retirement from teaching afforded me the time to really pursue my passion of creating contemporary art.

I have a B.A. in education from Roosevelt University in Chicago. In addition to studying painting with the late Ann Roman, I took classes at Columbia College (Chicago), Oxbow in Saugatuck, Michigan, the Terra Museum, and from individual artists in Chicago and locations during my travels.

Over the years, I have taken classes in a variety of media, including papermaking, mosaics, and watercolor. Although my preferred method of creating is painting in acrylics, I also do small collages, using items and materials from many sources. I have been able, at times, to combine my passions of art and travel, not only finding classes during my travels but also touring many artists' studios when in foreign countries as well as in the U.S.

I exhibited at art fairs for many years, and now shows in many exhibitions, mostly in the Chicago area. Among them are: the North Shore Art League, Wilmette Art League, Highland Park Art Walk, and other shows with the organization Anatomically Correct and CAVA (Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists). I have had a one-person show at the Apollo Theater and at the Chicago Occupational Health Clinic at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I have won a Purchase Award from the Illinois Education Association in Springfield, IL., and was awarded 2nd place in the Skokie Art Walk.

I have juried numerous art fairs, including Fountain Square Art Fair in Evanston, IL, and the Long Grove Art Fair. I was very involved in the Chicago Artists' Coalition for many years, helping to run their Art Open, participating as a member of the board for many years and serving as chairman of the Board of Directors.