Reflection
I have been a painter and photographer for the past 40 years. My artistic style has evolved over time from the abstract to the literal and then back to the abstract. I am inspired by color, light, shadow, and architecture. My current Mixed media transfer work uses elements of photography, print making, and painting. This technique was inspired by my studies in non- traditional photographic methods such as Gum Bichromate, Cyan, and Polaroid transfer printing.
I have always wanted to be an artist. I have a strong memory of sitting at the table in my mother’s kitchen, drawing and redrawing the face of a girl from the back of a comic book to win a scholarship to art school. I was 10 years old at the time and when I sent the drawing in, as you would expect, I received a short note telling me to keep up the good work and please reapply in 10 years - I never did.
I grew up in Albuquerque New Mexico. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, and inspired a love of both reading and art. A large Picasso reproduction hung over the couch in our 1960’s wood paneled den, and a reproduction of Van Gough’s sunflowers hung in the Living room - unusual in our neighborhood. I loved those prints and knew that art would always be an important part of my life. My parents valued the arts and knew that it was important to me, but at the same time they instilled in me the idea that it was important to have a skill that could pay monthly bills. So, began my lifelong battle between creativity and practicality - both strong parts of my nature. Initially my practical side led me to the medical field, but my creative side dreamed and screamed to be an artist. For many years I worked as a nurse while at the same time producing artwork during my off hours - but in the 1980’s, I was compelled to complete a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis on painting & photography. At UNM I studied with Jane Abrams, Harry Nadler, Jim Jacobs, Patrick Nagatani, Betty Hahn, and Beaumont Newhall. During this time, I met and married David Antreasian who came from a family of artists and my desire to continue working in the arts was understood and nurtured.
The process of making things with my hands still gives me great joy. It has always allowed me to express myself in a “visual” language all my own ……