The effect on my artwork of these journeys, at home or away, has been profound. The wonder of the natural world is of unceasing interest to me, and it has informed my work in terms of its patterns, cycles, and exquisite beauty. Several of the compositions of paintings displayed here are circular or swirling, symbolizing the wholeness and connectedness of the natural world. Movement and flow is another quality of nature that keeps surfacing in my work through explorations in nature. Lastly, a few works shown here express my concern about the fragility, excessive use, and destruction of our environment, whether on land or in the sea. The natural world is a great teacher and sustainer, both for my art and my soul.

Even though I am originally from New Jersey, and my husband from the Washington DC area, we have both come to love the mountains and have lived in Bearwallow on the Jewell Ridge mountaintop for over 30 years. (But I guess we’re still “not from around here” are we?) We love the close proximity to nature that we enjoy while walking in the woods, up on the spur, down in the holler…wherever we might wander. Don and I have also had the pleasure of exploring the mid-west and western states for many summers, camping and hiking with our son when he was younger.