Art connecting with the earth

Bio: Accomplishments

Over the last 12 years, I have had 20 gallery exhibitions, including “Balance for Better” with the Zimbabwe National Gallery, and eight solo exhibitions including “Elements of Nature Between Skyscrapers” with Art For Thought in Ginza, Tokyo. I was honored when the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies purchased three of my mixed media portraits for the U.S. Embassy in Harare. I have art in the collections of two Myanmar galleries and private collections in 11 countries. Since 2012 I have created and sold over 150 pieces of art and more than 1000 pieces of jewelry.

Bio: Education and Background

As a child in rural Ohio America, I always liked to draw.  In 2008 I received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and in 2022 I completed my MBA. Though I occasionally teach workshops, I primarily create and show my own work.  My husband and I have lived as expats since 2011, moving from Myanmar to Armenia, Zimbabwe, and now Japan since 2020.  Moving our home to a new country every few years has greatly inspired the art I create. I am an ongoing student studying Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) under Suiran Yamada and traditional Japanese metalsmithing at Aoyama Metalsmithing School.

Bio: The Journey

In AMERICA, I painted small commissions and focused on large oil paintings. I was a member of the Worthington Area Art League. and I exhibited with High Road Gallery & Studios. Every couple of years, when we return to visit family, I etch one window which came from my late grandfather’s barn with a scene connecting to my roots in rural Ohio, America.

In MYANMAR, I worked on larger-than-life oil paintings full of symbolism and intimate ink drawings done in the moment, capturing the rapid changes of the country.  During our two years, I had two solo exhibitions with Nawaday Tharlar Gallery and Pansodan Gallery.  Much of my energy went into implementing Hla Day, a fair-trade market concept, alongside a team of international women. I was a design consultant and did a myriad of tasks to see what started as three local groups grow to over 30 in two years.

In ARMENIA, I expanded into small installations made from upcycled material, including reclaimed glass windows and bottles and cardboard constructed into blocks.   In addition to my solo exhibitions with Dalan Art Gallery and The Green Bean, I was honored to show alongside some of Armenia’s finest contemporary artists including two HAYP Pop Up Gallery exhibitions. My early jewelry consisted of miniature paintings under glass cabochons and paired with recycled fibers. Within the last weeks of living in Armenia, I found someone to teach me the basics of turning reclaimed metal into jewelry.

In ZIMBABWE, I continued with upcycled materials, expanding the reclaimed metal jewelry, and diversified to work on handmade paper from Zimbabwean paper artists.  I created 400+ pieces of jewelry, 30+ etched bottles, and 70+ portraits on handmade paper.  Most of these portraits were women from the rural areas who benefited from livelihood programs.  I participated in and occasionally curated 15 exhibitions, including solo and group exhibitions. One of my group exhibitions included the National Gallery of Zimbabwe’s Balance 4 Better.  Among the collections my art belongs to, three of my portraits were purchased for the permanent collection of Art in Embassies’ U.S. Embassy Harare.

In JAPAN, I remain passionate about sustainable and reclaimed materials.  I use bamboo paper, scraps of vintage obi, emptied glass bottles, old roof tiles, and other bits of rubbish with watercolor, charcoal, conte, and ink.  My art has been influenced by Japanese gardens and Shinto structures surrounded by nature.  My first exhibition in Japan was a solo exhibition partnering with creative cuisine from Nippon Viajero at もしも / Moshimo Cafe + Event Space in Hayama. Though I enjoy creating standalone art, installation art holds a special place in my heart.  I am working on designs that can be dismantled and sold as individual art pieces for the home.  I have had the amazing opportunity to learn Japanese traditional techniques like sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) and traditional metalsmithing techniques. My jewelry is expanding into bespoke collections and commissions while maintaining a sizable jewelry collection of pieces under $100.