My Influences

In the 1960’s, at Flint J.C Art School I was influenced by The British Pop Artists and Marisol. I also liked abstract expressionism and experimented with action painting.
In the 1970’s at The College for Creative Studies, Detroit, I was still influenced by British Pop Art, notably David Hockney, R.B. Kitaj and Dianne Arbus. Also, the social upheaval in our culture, the Vietnam Nam War and changing politics strongly had an impact on my imagery.

In 1979- 2007 I taught art at Ann Arbor Community High School….the most creative,innovative, oldest alternative high school in the USA. This had a huge influence on my approach to art. I worked with Elaine Headly and Gretchen Whitman in the art dept. I was influenced by Rothko, Jennifer Bartlett, and still The British Pop artists.
I started my Masters at U OF M in 1990. I taught at CHS during the day and went to class in the summers and nights finally finishing with U OF M’s study abroad program in Florence, Italy for 2 months in the summer. Living in a 13th century villa, studying the Italian masters in Painting, sculpture and architecture had me so inspired I did 60 watercolor paintings in the field in Florence, Rome and Venice. Caravaggio,Gentileschi, Giotto, Minette Chang , my Professor in watercolor were influences.

2000’s were spent teaching at Community, retired in 2007 and since then have been traveling to Costa Rica, Spain, Morocco and Sicily. All,of these places have had an important Influence on my work. I started showing my work at the WSG Gallery in Ann Arbor. Because of the pandemic it has closed sadly, and is looking for a new space. The pandemic has also influenced my painting since I am self quarenteed. I’m always open to new inspirations to create new work.