Artistic Passion Journey
A lifelong journey of artistic passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of sculptural mastery shaped by mentorship and the wisdom of the past.
As a young girl growing up in a small town in Florida, I was always interested in art. I made clothes to match my shoes, carved totem poles out of palm trees, and created jewelry inspired by Native American artifacts. That early love of creating eventually led me to a career in sculpture.
After graduating from Florida State University and working as a display director for a department store in Atlanta, my journey as an artist began to take shape.
Over the course of my career, which now spans more than 40 years, I have learned that success does not come without challenges. It takes hard work, determination, and, most importantly, a commitment to never give up.
One of the most challenging figures for me has been Abraham Lincoln. Working from a life mask taken from the original, as well as many photographs, Lincoln has been one of the most difficult figures for me to capture. When sculpting the Lincoln Memorial, sculptor Daniel Chester French had an immensely difficult, stressful, and challenging time. It took five to six years to design and model the Lincoln Memorial.
One of the greatest influences in my life was my brother. He was my mentor and gave me some of the best advice I have ever received.
He said, "You must learn from the best. When you think your art is good enough, it's not. Keep learning and keep working."
And that's exactly what I did.
For more than 40 years, I have continued to study extensively with many masters, including Mustafa Naguib, the National State Sculptor of Egypt, and world-renowned forensic sculptor Betty Pat Gatliff. I have also studied under many masters in France and Italy, at the Art Institute of Chicago, and continue to attend art seminars.
Throughout my personal and professional life, I have tried to hold myself to a higher standard while treating others with respect, understanding, and kindness and, through it all, maintaining a positive attitude.
I also believe in giving back to the community. For many years, I have been involved with and supported several organizations, including the Oak Brook Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and, at present, the Assistance League of Chicago West.
There is a saying I have always believed in:
"If you look to the past, you will find the future."
The past has always been my teacher. It has taught me to keep learning, keep creating, and, most importantly, never stop looking forward.
