My work is a series of animal portraits, the objective being to seek a voice for those who need to be heard. I started my focus on this subject after volunteering as an adoptions hostess at the Jacksonville Human Society in Florida. Recently volunteered at the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation clinic. I had the unique opportunity to work with wildlife up close and in person. Both experiences have given me awareness and a connection to the animals. I feel the need to somehow capture these unconditional open honest beings living amongst us. I aim to create an image for human viewers to share in my experience. My work intends to communicate emotion from the inside as it captures the subject and gives it a voice
Artist's Biography
I have lived around art my whole life. My father was a painter, and my mother, who raised me is a sculptor. Both parents taught art in various institutions from college to elementary grades, and my mother was always my art teacher she still is today. I started drawing at a very young age and my family loved and encouraged it. I went on to study art in school. I received a BFA from the University of North Florida where I studied with Louise Freshman Brown. While I went on to earn a BFA I found I had a great interest in the Biological Sciences. By the time I finished my four-year degree I had a large amount of coursework in Biological Science as well as the credits for my BFA. After graduating college I worked as an artist, producing work, showing it regularly and selling it. My college credits in the Biological Sciences and in education allowed me to teach Comprehensive Science while earning my Professional Teaching certificate in Biology grades 6-12. With classroom discipline a problem, I returned to school to finish a Biotech degree that would allow me to work in a Lab. Unable to fit into a corporate setting life led me back to art. This time my heart is truly in it. I find purpose in giving a voice to animals both wild and domestic.
Education
2010 - 2015 Professional Certificate in Biology (Grades 6-12)
2007- 2008 Florida Community College at Jacksonville Biotechnology Laboratory Technician (A. S. Degree)
2006-2007 Internship at the Mayo Clinic Neurology Research Department with Dr. Jada Lewis
2005-2010 Professional Certificate in Biology (Grades 6-12)
2004-2006 Temporary Educator’s Certificate in General Science (Grades 5-9)
2003 Participated in Transition into Teaching, a grant funded program put on by FCCJ and The Duval County Public Schools
1999 University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
1993 Florida Community College at Jacksonville Associate of Arts degree