As an emerging Santa Barbara artist I’ve joyfully rediscovered my city and environment painting scenes throughout the South Coast, from the mountains to the beaches and everything in-between.  I started painting in 2004, first from photographs, soon I gave plein-air painting a try, and been hooked ever since. I feel extremely fortunate to study with talented and generous artists Jordan Pope, Thomas Van Stein, Ray Roberts Rick Schloss and Rick Stitch. I have participated in workshops in Arizona and California. Most recently, I attended a Nocturne Painting Workshop (June 2006) taught by Van Stein. It was an amazing experience. I have since been inspired to paint night-time and evening scenes, capturing the magic and mystery of the shifting lights and darks of the nocturne hours.

I studied commercial art at California State University, Northridge (1981-1985) and commercial illustration at  Art Center College in Pasadena, California (1983-1985).  As a graphic designer in the Los Angeles area, I worked in the film industry, and later freelanced in marketing and advertising.

After moving to Santa Barbara in the late ‘80’s I opened and ran Graficus Design Studio (1988-1995), serving many Southern California small businesses and large companies launching their images and brands. In 1998 I accepted a position as Art Director for the Balance Bar Company. From there I expanded my expertise to include food package design and corporate identity and went on to work for several national food industry companies.


Memberships:
SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment)    
Santa Barbara Art Association

Exhibitions:    
SEE International Auction, September, 2006
Artwalk 2005, Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
Enchanted Paintings of the Season, El Encanto Hotel, January 2006    
La Arcada Show to Benefit Environmental Defense Center, May, 2006
On Our Waterfront, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, July, 2006
One-Person Show, The Good Cup, October - November, 2006
Heal the Ocean Exhibition, November, 2006
Santa Barbara Art Association Holiday Show, December 2006
SCAPE No Boundaries, January 2007
Santa Barbara Art Association March Show, March 2008
SCAPE Casa De La Guerra Show, March 2008

Honor:   
Honorary Mention, On Our Waterfront, Maritime Museum, July, 2006
        
Event:   
Participating Artist in American Artist Workshop Magazine featured article September, 2006

Collections:
Roger and Cristina Battistone
Philip and Fernanda Friden
Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce
James and Lisa Yabsley