What brought you to the Northland?
I grew up and went to school in the Northland.
Describe your art:
I paint with oils, acrylics and colored pencil. I enjoy painting portraits of people and animals. I make paintings of all sizes, but I spend most of my time painting miniatures. It is a centuries old art form including small portraits on the rings and coins of Ancient Greeks, delicate illuminations on manuscripts created by monks in the Middle Ages, and portrait miniatures on vellum or ivory that were easily carried in pockets or lockets. The invention of photography in the mid 1800s almost brought an end to miniature portraits. In the 20th century, artists rediscovered the challenge of painting miniatures. My miniatures are painted with oil paints on ivorine, which is a man made ivory substitute. Most of my miniatures are 2 1/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by many things from nature, other artists and creative people. My subject matter varies from people and animals to flowers and butterflies.
Where did you study art?
Growing up, my family was very encouraging and enrolled my brother and I in many art classes at places like the Y in Northtown, the community center on Parvin Road, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I attended UMKC and graduated with a degree in Studio Art. My first job was drawing portraits at Worlds of Fun.
Where can people view your art?
My work can be viewed on my website BluePaintbrush.com. Besides showing my work at the Northland Exposure Artist Gallery in Parkville, I am a member of several miniature art societies and send my paintings to be shown in their exhibitions, including the Worldwide Exhibition of Fine Arts in Miniature, which will be held in Moscow this September.
