About the Artist

Bio

I am a working artist with a professional background in Fine Arts, Design and Psychology. I worked for many years as a User Experience (UX) Consultant and Graphic Designer and have taught art and design both in the community and at the college level. I live with my family in Ottawa, Canada.

Artists’ Statement

I have always been interested in people and what makes them the way they are. During my studies in psychology and art I realized that what I was really looking for was an understanding of myself. I have come to find that my art practice is a powerful tool for self-understanding. My work is both creative expression and therapy in my ongoing struggles with anxiety and depression.

In my art and my life, I strive to hold the tension between warring opposites: order and chaos, the rational and the emotional, strength and vulnerability, safety and risk. My work explores the inner landscape of ideas and emotions through dream-like images of invented worlds and imaginary architecture. The central theme is the search for balance and order in a world of chaos and uncertainty—the search for sanctuary when surrounded by change, turbulence and danger.

Working intuitively and fluidly, allowing ideas to emerge spontaneously, has helped me discover the core themes that drive my art. As the work has progressed, I have become increasingly interested in vulnerability, protection and safety. Those who struggle with anxiety have a disproportionate fear of uncertainty. We manage our uncertainty by creating ways to make the world feel safe and under control. However, eventually this sense of safety can become a prison, and we find ourselves trapped, too afraid to venture out and take risks. My work tackles these issues, the underlying feelings of fear and vulnerability and the tension between wanting to stay safe in my small orderly world and the desperate desire to break free.

Education

2002
BFA, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland OH

1995
BA Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph ON

Awards

2007
Emerging Artist Production Grant, City of Ottawa

2000
Myrtle Wainthrup Givelber Prize, for travel and art-making, Cleveland Institute of Art

1997
$25,000 Entrance Scholarship, Cleveland Institute of Art

Exhibitions

2021
Solo Show: New Works, ZakZ Hair ‘n Lounge, Ottawa ON

2009
Solo Show: Worlds Within, City of Ottawa Atrium Gallery, Ottawa ON (Juried)

2008
Great Big Smalls IV, Cube Gallery, Ottawa ON (Juried)
Homage, Cube Gallery, Ottawa ON (Juried)
Art Rental, Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON (Juried)

2004
Ongoing group exhibitions, Foyer Gallery, Ottawa ON (Artist-run space)

2002
BFA Thesis Show, Reinberger Galleries, Cleveland OH

2001
55th Student Independent Exhibition, Reinberger Galleries, Cleveland OH (Juried)

2000
Painting for Dummies, Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts, Cleveland, OH
54th Student Independent Exhibition, Reinberger Galleries, Cleveland OH (Juried)
Exquisite Corpse, Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts, Cleveland, OH

1999
The Painting Show, Joseph McCullough Center for the Visual Arts, Cleveland, OH

1998
Foundation Design II, The Sculpture Center, Cleveland, OH (Juried)

Arts-Related Positions

I have extensive experience in facilitation, workshops, and teaching.

2002–present
User Experience (UX) Consultant and Graphic Designer

2003–2006
Professor, Part-Time, Algonquin College School of Media and Design, Ottawa, ON

2004
Instructor, Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa ON

1998–2002
Teaching Assistant, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland OH