I love to do portraits, and have recently become very interested in making still-lifes with a twist of trompe l'oeil, or trick of the eye.
My favorite artists, who have inspired me greatly, are M.C. Escher, J.W. Waterhouse, J.D. Hillberry, Norman Rockwell, Degas, van Gogh and Renoir to name a few. I think of late, Escher and Hillberry have had the greatest influence on me. I especially enjoy the tricks they put into their work--their art makes you think, it's more than just a pretty picture (though those are nice, too!). I like my drawings to be like that as well.
I have been getting into oil painting more and more, because of the opportunity I had to go to the Bob Ross Workshop in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where I became a certified Bob Ross Landscape Instructor (CRI). I learned to paint happy trees and clouds, and that truly anyone can paint if they want to and put the time in.
Other than my certification in landscape painting in oils through Bob Ross, INC, and acrylic painting certification through Grumbacher, I have very little formal art training, but I devour art books and art technique youtube videos constantly. The best thing about art is that you can't really do it wrong, because it is so subjective. You just have to keep experimenting until you come up with something you like. There are so many avenues to explore and possibilities to seek out--it's an endless pursuit!
I love to share my passion of art with anyone else who also shares it. I teach private lessons through out the year, and several classes at the homeschool co-op that my children attend during the school year, as well as other places. Recently, I've been hired to teach fine art in acrylic and drawing at Michaels in Linoln, NE. I'm also an active member the Lincoln Artists' Guild, having been elected vice president of the organization for 2017, and have art in their gallery in Lincoln, NE.
