I am a mixed-media collage artist living and working in Los Angeles. My journey as an artist began when I first picked up a paintbrush at age 10 and has led me to places and experiences I could never have predicted as a child. Although life cycle events, children, culture, current events and the world around us have been inspirations for most of my work, in form and feel they have been predominantly abstract in nature while still allowing the viewer's imagination to find familiar images and themes to emerge. Recently however, I created a collage incorporating family photos, letters and other personal imagery. This has led me down a new artistic path creating commissioned works which I call “Family Heritage” Collages. Each collage typically evolves from a thought, a vision, a memory, a photograph or a scrap of paper that moves me. A vision begins to emerge from within and develops as I create my work. Sometimes the vision becomes a piece or it grows into a series of pieces. I collect and use materials that others might consider trash. Old and odd bits of paper; receipts, letters, tags, programs, ads, brochures, etc. and found objects are recycled and turned into rich materials that become art. I enjoy being able to discover, visualize and present the beauty in discarded items.

In essence, I create my collages using the same basic design principals and structure that collage artists have traditionally followed. Many of the great 20th Century and Cubist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Kurt Schwitters and Raymond Saunders have influenced my work. My work incorporates paint, pencil, and pastels, along with collage. The work is built and then revealed in layers; sometimes searching for a texture, a color, something unknown, the missing other layer. The energy and depth builds, as more layers are uncovered. I studied art at Los Angeles Valley College , Interior Design at UCLA and completed my education at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Always looking for a new means to satisfy my creative hunger, I discovered the medium of collage as a form of expression in the late 1990's. I have been exhibiting my work in various group and solo shows since 1999. Some of my “pop culture” themed work is currently on display and may be purchased at the Raw Style Gallery in Santa Monica.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS / COMPETITIONS

2008            VIVA 2008 All Member Art Exhibition - My Way
                     VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

                     Summer 2008 Exhibition - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

 Circle of Care Foundation – Dreams on Canvas
 City Art Gallery, Van Nuys, CA

10th Annual Collage & Mixed Media Juried Online
 Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, NE

 New Year Show - Collage Artists of America
 Burbank Creative Arts Center, Burbank, CA

2007            Hangar Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

                     Mar Vista Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

 Spring Show - Collage Artists of America
 VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

2006            Ripped and Torn - Fall 2006 Exhibit, Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

                     Art Pic, Los Angeles, CA

 Infusion Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2005            Fall Show - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

                     Infusion Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

                     7th Annual Collage & Mixed Media Juried Online International Exhibition
                     Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, NE
                    
                     Wallworks - LA Artcore's 22nd Annual Juried Competition
                     LA Artcore Center, Los Angeles, CA

                     Spring Show - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Art Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA

2004            Art in the Park - Park La Brea; Los Angeles, CA

                     Contemporary Abstracts
                     Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA

                     The Grand Show - Dover Arts
                     Lankershim Art Gallery, North Hollywood, CA

                     Spring Show - Collage Artists of America
                     Finegood Art Gallery, West Hills, CA

                     14th Annual National Juried Exhibit
                     Las Vegas Arts Council, Las Vegas, NM

2002            The Loft, BGH Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

                     Stuck on Collage - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Gallery, Northridge, CA

                     Miller Durazo Contemporary Artists Projects, Los Angeles, CA

                     Color Outside the Lines
                     Long Beach Arts, Long Beach, CA

                     Collage/Assemblage/USA – Part II
                     Ventura College Galleries, Ventura, CA

                     “Desires Erotique – A Fetish to Love” (or “To My Valentine”)
                     SCA Galleries – Pomona Arts Gallery, Pomona, CA

                     Annual Members Showcase
                     Berkeley Art Center Association, Berkeley, CA

2001            Brand 31 - Works on Paper, Annual Juried Competition
                     Brand Library & Art Center, Glendale, CA

                     BGH Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
                     “Art Heals” Benefit for “September 11th Fund””

                     3rd Annual Southern California Open, Regional Exhibit (SCORE)
                     VIVA Gallery, Northridge, CA

                     Collage/Assemblage/USA
                     Ventura College Galleries, Ventura, CA

2000            National Open 2000 - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Gallery, Northridge, CA

                     VIVA Collage - Collage Artists of America
                     VIVA Gallery, Northridge, CA

1999            The Gascon Gallery, Culver City, CA

                     The Soho Gallery, Studio City, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS :

2003             Bergamot Café, Santa Monica, CA

                      Robert Matt Salon, Los Angeles, CA

2002             Encino Terrace Center, Encino, CA

2001             Brew & Beans, Brentwood, CA

PUBLICATIONS :

2004             Park La Brea News/Beverly Press
                     “Park La Brea's Eighth Art in the Park is a Big Success”

TELEVISION:

2006/2007  Help Me Help You
                      Season 1 - FOX

AWARDS:

2008             Collage Artists of America, Sherman Oaks, CA (2nd Place)

                      Collage Artists of America, Sherman Oaks, CA (Honorable Mention)

2005             Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, NE (Special Recognition)

                      Collage Artists of America, Sherman Oaks, CA (2nd Place)

2004             Las Vegas Arts Council, Las Vegas, NM (Best in Show – 1st Place)

2002             Long Beach Arts (Honorable Mention)

2000             Collage Artists of America (Honorable Mention)