About
I trained at Ball State University under watercolorist Marilynn Derwenskus. I was a fellow to Marilynn Derwenskus for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006, and earned my BFA in Painting.
Shortly after college I began a career in graphic design. For the next 16 years my time was spent at a computer working with fonts, colors, and copy. At the same time I was a wife, mother of two biological children, and foster parent of another child, so my life and family kept me very busy. Painting, though still very much a part of my life, was no longer the central focus of my time.
In 2023, I left my full-time graphic design job and transitioned to contract design work, allowing me to focus more on my family and painting. That same year, as I turned 40, I set a goal of completing 40 paintings in my 40th year. After achieving that goal, I felt it was time to begin sharing my work with others.
While my college work focused more on portraiture and making obvious statements, my current paintings center on places I have visited with my family. I am inspired by strong lighting and dramatic shadows. I am drawn to subjects featuring typography—especially weathered signage—partly due to my years working as a graphic designer. I love faded paint, rusted nails, and reflective lightbulbs—the combination of natural erosion with man-made color and words. Each painting holds a memory for me. I hope my work evokes memories for viewers as well, encouraging them to observe the world around them rather than taking their surroundings for granted.
I currently live in Warsaw, Indiana with my family. I work part-time, allowing more time to paint and create.
Education
Ball State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, 2002-2006.
Employment
Graphic Designer, Warsaw Community Church, December 2006 to Februrary 2023.
Contract Graphic Designer, December 2023 to present.
Teaching Assistant/Paraprofessional, Presby Preschool, July 2024 to present.
Professional Affiliations
Hancock County Arts, Member.
Lakeland Art Association, Member.
North American Watercolor Society, Member.
Watercolor Society of Indiana, Member.
Exhibitions and Art Fairs
October 2, 2026 to January 10, 2027
82nd Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition at the Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute, Indiana (Juried)
October 2, 2026 to December 12, 2027
2026 National Watercolor Exhibition at the Mark Arts, Wichita, Kansas (Juried)
September 26 to November 6, 2026
WSI Regional Exhibit at The Allen County Public Library Art Gallery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
September 3 to November 22, 2026
33rd Annual Juried Art Exhibit at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center, Jasper, Indiana (Juried)
September 3 to October 31, 2026
5th Annual Midwest Juried Art Exhibit at the HCAA Gallery, Noblesville, Indiana (Juried)
September 3 to 26, 2026
America 250 Celebration, Hancock County Arts, Greenfield, Indiana
August 28 to October 25, 2026
44th Annual Watercolor Society of Indiana Juried Exhibit, Newfields/Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana (Juried)
August 23 to October 11, 2026
Indiana Wildlife Artist Inc. 43rd Annual Fine Art Exhibit, Minnetrista Museum and Gardens Muncie, Indiana (Juried)
August 21 to September 6, 2026
2026 Great Northern Art Explosion, AuSable Artisan Village, Grayling, Michigan (Juried)
August 7 to September 25, 2026
Summer Vibes, The Fulton Street Collective, Chicago, Illinois (Juried)
August 1 to September 14, 2026
2026 NAW (North American Watercolor Society) International Exhibition, www.northamericanwatercolor.com (Juried)
July 30 to September 11, 2026
Unleashed- fur, fin, feather, & fun, Black Swamp Art Center, Archbold, Ohio* (Juried)
July 30 to August 29, 2026
bicycle pARTs II, Hancock County Arts, Greenfield, Indiana*
July 9 to August 12, 2026
Annual Themed Art Competition, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment, Wabash, Indiana* (Juried)
June 30 to August 29, 2026
Naturalist Gallery Human Exhibition (online), https://naturalist.gallery/
June 30 to July 25, 2026
America the Beautiful Exhibit, Heartland Art Center, Plymouth, Indiana
June 13 to July 11, 2026
Flora Fuana Juried Art Show 2026, SullivanMunce Cultural Center, Zionsville, Indiana (Juried)
June 12 to July 25, 2026
27th Annual Will Vawter Art Exhibit and Sale, Hancock County Arts Gallery, Greenfield, Indiana (Juried)
June 6-7, 2026
Village at Winona Art Fair 2026, Winona Lake, Indiana (Juried)
June 4 to August 31, 2026
Alley Cat Art Show, City Hall Outdoor Gallery, Warsaw, Indiana
May 15 to July 5, 2026
Michiana Annual Art Competition 2026, Box Factory for the Arts, Saint Joseph, Michigan. (Juried)
May 8 to June 26, 2026
Over By There: All Things Chicago, The Fulton Street Collective, Chicago, Illinois. (Juried)
May 1 to 31, 2026
Lakeland Art Gallery Annual Spring Show Prospectus, Lakeland Art Gallery, Warsaw, Indiana. (Juried)
April 29 to June 3, 2026
Solo Exhibit, Warsaw Community Public Library, Warsaw Indiana.
April 28 to May 29, 2026
Heartland Art Center Small Wonders 2026, Plymouth Historic Fire Station, Plymouth, Indiana. (Juried)
April 18 to May 29, 2026
Watercolor Society of Indiana Membership Exhibit, The Stutz, Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 16 to May 25, 2026
2026 Hendricks Live! Art Exhibition, Hendricks Live, Plainfield, Indiana.* (Juried)
April 11, 2026
Art Fair at the Library, Warsaw Community Public Library, Warsaw, Indiana.
March 18 to April 28, 2026
Solo Exhibit, Lakeland Art Gallery, Warsaw Indiana.
February 21 to March 28, 2026
Watercolor Society of Indiana Membership Exhibit, Delphi Opera House, Delphi Indiana.
Awards
*Mackinac Island won Honorable Mention at the bicycle pARTs II, Hancock County Arts, Greenfield, Indiana on August 14, 2026
*Smokey won a Merit Award at the Unleashed- fur, fin, feather, & fun, Black Swamp Art Center, Archbold, Ohio on July 27, 2026
*Boot Barn won at the Annual Themed Art Competition at Honeywell Arts in Wabash, Indiana on July 9, 2026
*Rapid River Motel won second place at the Hendricks Live Art Exhibition, Plainfield, Indiana on April 16, 2026.