When I attended Mass. College of Art, most of the painting students were dabbling in abstract art, which I found quite intimidating. I loved lettering, so I majored in Graphic Design, figuring that was the best chance of being successfully employed. But I always longed to paint, to be a real artist. I began studying the works of contemporary realist painters. I took some classes, and dabbled in watercolors, colored pencils and pastels. After a couple of years, I applied to join the prestigious Copley Society in Boston. To my surprise, I had two paintings accepted into a Copley exhibition. I devoted more time to painting, and put together two one-woman shows in the city's Metrowest area. I landed a plum assignment as illustrator for the prestigious publication announcing the revitalization of historic Fanueil Hall in Boston. And every spare minute, I was creating at my drawing board. In 1990, I moved to Cape Cod, and began painting the Cape's extraordinary light and beautiful beaches ... endless stretches of sun, sand and sea. I sold many paintings at local galleries, and my paintings were on the cover of the Truro Guide, the Harwich Bicentennial poster and the Pops in The Park program and poster. After moving to Maine in 2000, I decided to try my hand at oils. I bought an easel, stocked up on paints, and fell in love with the look, the touch and even the smell of oils. I buried myself in art books to learn techniques. I visited local galleries and museums to see how other artists painted water, trees, animals and people. After a couple of years at the easel, I decided I was ready to show my work. Subsequently, my paintings have been accepted at juried shows including many RiverArts exhibitions, Art of the Sea's "Marine Masters" and Miles Hospital Hall Gallery (one-woman show, 21 paintings). I was also invited to be a part of the annual "Arts in the Barn" series in Cushing. I have now published a catalog of my work, which is available as a downloadable PDF. Massachusetts College of Art 4-year Program • BFA Degree in Design Classes in Watercolor and Oil Painting Copley Society of Boston Copley Society Metro West Exhibition Paul Calvo Gallery, Chatham Miles Memorial Hall Gallery, Damariscotta River Arts Gallery, Damariscotta Art in the Barn, Cushing Letraset International Typography Competition • 2nd Place Selected Artist • Boston Faneuil Hall Restoration Illustrations for 32-page booklet Winner • Harwich Bicentennial Poster Design Selected Painting • Truro Guidebook Selected Artist • Orleans Pops In the Park Poster Center for Contemporary Art River Arts Gallery Colored Pencil Society of America Casein Painters of America National Society for Painters in Casein and Acrylic