Art connecting with the earth

Bio: Accomplishments

In addition to popups and fairs, I have been a part of over 20 exhibitions, including eight solo exhibitions. My 2023 “Elements of Nature Between Skyscrapers” with Art For Thought in Ginza, Tokyo was my most recent solo show. In 2018 the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies purchased three of my works for the permanent collection of the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe. I have art in the collections of two Myanmar galleries and private collections in over 10 countries. Since 2012 I have created and sold over 150 pieces of art and more than 1000 pieces of jewelry.

Bio: Education and Background

As a child, I always liked to draw and planned to be an artist.  In 2008 I received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and in 2022 I completed my MBA. I primarily create, exhibit, and sell my own work and teach workshops on occasion.  My husband and I have lived as expats since 2011, moving from Myanmar to Armenia, Zimbabwe, and now Japan since 2020.  These places have greatly influenced the art I create. I am an ongoing student studying Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) under Yamada Suiran and traditional Japanese metalsmithing at Aoyama Metalsmithing School.

Bio: The Journey

In the U.S. I painted small commissions and large oil paintings. I was a member of the Worthington Area Art League and I exhibited with High Road Gallery & Studios. Every couple of years we return to the U.S. to visit family and I etch one window from my late grandfather’s barn with a scene connecting to my roots in rural Ohio, America.

In MYANMAR I worked on large symbolic oil paintings and intimate little ink drawings capturing local life in the rapidly changing country.  During our two years, I had two solo exhibitions with Nawaday Tharlar Gallery and Pansodan Gallery.  Alongside a team of international women, I was a design consultant at Hla Day, a fair-trade market concept that grew from three local groups to over 30 in two years.

In ARMENIA I created my first small installations from upcycled material, including reclaimed glass objects.  Dalan Art Gallery hosted my biggest solo show in Armenia. The most dynamic group exhibitions were with HAYP Pop Up Gallery. During this time, I started a jewelry line of miniature paintings under glass cabochons with recycled fibers. In the last two weeks of living in Armenia, I learned the basics of turning reclaimed metal into jewelry.

In ZIMBABWE, I expanded my reclaimed metal jewelry and created 400+ pieces.  I continued using upcycled materials like discarded glass bottles, and painted over 70 portraits of rural Zimbabwean women on Zimbabwean handmade paper.   Three of these portraits are in the permanent collection of Art in Embassies’ U.S. Embassy Harare. I exhibited in solo and group shows including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s Balance 4 Better.  

In JAPAN, I remain passionate about sustainable and reclaimed materials.  My subjects are influenced by Japanese gardens and Shinto structures in both the rural and urban landscape.  My first exhibition in Japan was a solo exhibition partnering with creative cuisine from Nippon Viajero at もしも / Moshimo Cafe + Event Space in Hayama. Installation art is special because I like making an experience. I am designing these so they can be kept as one large art piece or they can be dismantled and sold as individual small art pieces for the home.  “Elements of Nature Between Skyscrapers” was the first show to full fill this vison. Check out my most recent and upcoming exhibitions and events.