CoralMyLife

I inherited my love for Art...and all things, aesthetically and visually pleasing, from my Mother and brother - both, a tremendous inspiration and great artists in their own right. My artistic talent emerged at a very young age, wherein I would paint landscapes and still-lifes in watercolors, and in oils...to the sheer astonishment of my family and peers. Throughout my extensive studies, I excelled in art which paved the way for my future artistic endeavors. Today, I am an Artist/Illustrator, an Art Teacher/Educator, and a Graphic Designer. During College, and later in University, I was introduced to acrylic paint. This medium un/fortunately posed a great challenge for me, as I had difficulty in blending the colors. My instinctual solution, therefore, was to use the paint straight from the tube - in its utmost purity and totality of color. Oh...and what beautifully vivid colors they were! I was also introduced to, and greatly influenced by the works of Alfred Pellan and Joan Miro...and, to an even greater extent, Aboriginal Art. It was during this time that the 'dot', along with swirling shapes of pure color, became my 'signature'. At first, and in the literal sense, I painted the mysterious underworld of sea creatures, including, and especially what has been referred to as 'the flowers of the sea' - corals. However, in time, I developed my own unique and distinct imagery which graduated from the literal sense...to a more abstract notion of form, shape, swirling movement, decorative pattern, and color. By chance, in 2002, I transferred this imagery onto discarded plates, boxes, and bottles. I soon realized that I enjoyed taking common objects and altering their meaning, function, and aesthetic quality. It would be safe to say, 'I breathe new life' into everyday objects which would otherwise be thrown in the trash. I recycle materials (paper, etc) and upcycle a dinner-plate, for example, into a highly decorated art piece. My mission, therefore, is not only to share the gift of (my) Art with others, in an environmentally-conscious fashion (reduce, reuse, recycle)...but also, to raise awareness about the general perilous state of our planet...and more exclusively, the plight of the ocean's endangered corals - truly, the flowers of the sea.