ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I am a contemporary abstract painter, working in acrylic and mixed media. A native of Illinois, with degrees in chemistry and political science, I pursued a career in policy analysis in the Washington DC area for more than 30 years. Then I took up painting, fell in love with it, and retired early to follow my new passion. For me, painting is part of life’s journey of exploration and expression.
I began my journey as a painter based on a desire to explore color in all its bright and joyful aspects. My paintings are full of bright, saturated color, energy and movement. Currently I am pursuing the goal of making my colors luminous—to make them glow or shine. I am painting a series of abstract florals on long thin canvases—a perfect opportunity to explore the luminosity of color. My previous series explored the new fluid and high-flow acrylic paints by pouring, dripping, and manipulating the new paints. Prior to that I worked with thin layers of opaque, translucent, and transparent paint. This glazing process allows the light and colors in the deeper layers of the painting to glow through the upper levels, giving a beautiful sense of depth and luminosity, suggestive of stained glass.
My inspiration comes from external sources such as the beauty of nature and internal sources such as dreams and imagination. Artists such as Matisse, Klimt, and a newly discovered source, Bill Scott of Philadelphia, also influence me. My goal is continually to search for a unique and authentic personal expression and to share that with others.
BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Illinois, I received a BA in Chemistry in 1970 at MacMurray College. I moved to the Washington, DC area, to pursue graduate study at George Washington University, where I earned an MA in Science, Technology, and Public Policy in 1973 and a PhD in political science in 1983. I pursued a career in policy analysis for more than 30 years, then took up painting, fell in love with it, and retired early to follow my new passion.
I have had solo shows at various locations in Northern Virginia and have exhibited in juried shows in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Ohio. My paintings have won awards and are found in private collections across the country. I live and work in Great Falls, Virginia, where I founded AHH! (Art Happens Here!) Studios, which I share with several other artists.
I have studied figurative painting and drawing, as well as abstract painting and portrait painting with leading artists in Northern Virginia. I also have taken course work in Religion and Art at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
RÉSUMÉ
Selected One-Person Exhibitions
2015—When Fairies Come Out, Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, March-April, Reston, VA
2014—The Language of Color, Featured Artist, Workhouse Arts Center, Feb., Lorton, VA
Dancing Color, Art and Frame of Falls Church, March, Falls Church, VA
2013—Bright and Cheerful, Katie’s Coffee Shop, February 1 – March 1, Great Falls, VA
For Love of Trees, Hambrock Holistic Healing Center, May-July, Herndon, VA
2012—Hard and Soft Edges, Workhouse Building #6, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
Portals, Reston Association Building, August 14 – September 17, Reston, VA
In the Flow, Blackstone Coffee Shop, April 5 – May 29, Fredericksburg, VA
2011—Let it Flow, Great Falls Library, Great Falls, VA
Life Passages, Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Reston, VA
Journey, Workhouse Building #6, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
2010 –The Energy of Color, Featured Artist, Workhouse Building #6, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
2009—Life Flows On, ARTWORKS Studio and Gallery, Reston, VA
2006—Singing Color, Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Reston, VA
Selected Juried Group Exhibitions
2014 — Art at the Mill, Clarke County Historical Association, April-May, Millwood, VA
Greater Reston Arts Center Artist Member Exhibition, July, Reston VA
Color-Driven, BlackRock Arts Center, July, Germantown, MD
Monarchs and More , 868 Estate Vineyards, July-Sept, Purcellville, VA
A Sea of Sticks and Stones, U.S. Geological Survey, Sept., Reston, VA
ArtFest-McLean Project for the Arts, October, McLean, VA
2013 — National Institutes of Health Clinical Arts Program Exhibit, Jan., Bethesda MD
Art at the Mill, Clarke County Historical Association, May, Millwood VA
Blind Date, Translations Gallery, May, Canton OH
10th Annual 2013 Juried Multimedia Art Exhibition, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Touchstone Gallery Mini Solos, Touchstone Gallery, Aug., Washington, DC
ArtFest-McLean Project for the Arts, October, McLean, VA
2012—Commerce I: Painting at the Workhouse, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton VA
Art at the Mill, Clarke County Historical Association, May, Millwood VA
Color: Bold and Vibrant, ArtSpace Herndon, Dec., Herndon VA
2011 – A Touch of Red, ArtSpace Herndon, Dec., Herndon, VA
Women Interpreting the Female Form, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
artRESTON, League of Reston Artists 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Reston, VA
Artistic Matrix, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Reston, VA
2010 – Square City, Ponshop Studio and Gallery, Fredericksburg, VA
Greenspiration, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
2009 – Art at the Mill, Clarke County Historical Association, May, Millwood, VA
Embrace Art, League of Reston Artists, Reston, VA
Making Art – My Way, League of Reston Artists, Honorable Mention
small works! BIG TOO!! League of Reston Artists
Other Group Shows
2015—Spring Art Show & Sale, Great Falls Studios, May, Great Falls, VA
2014-- Spring Art Show & Sale, Great Falls Studios, May, Great Falls, VA
2013– Young at Art, Reston Community Art Center, Reston, VA
Annual Founder’s Exhibit, League of Reston Artists, Reston VA
Positive Energy, League of Reston Artists, Reston VA
Paint and Beyond, U.S. Geological Survey, Aug., Reston VA
2012 – Artomatic, May-June Arlington, VA
Founder’s Show, League of Reston Artists
Promises Made, League of Reston Artists
Summer Blues, League of Reston Artists
Sizzle, League of Reston Artists
2011— Workhouse Friends and Family, Workhouse Arts Center
2009— Art Auction at Artworks, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, VA
Artomatic, May, Arlington, VA
2008 –Connect: New Paintings by Mary Ellen Mogee and Deborah Remmers, Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Reston, VA
2007 — Masks and Marks, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
Beyond Boundaries, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
The Next Step, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
Reston: One Foot at a Time, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston
Max Out: A Show of Large Works, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, VA
Body of Art, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
2006 –Out of the Box, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
September Days, MOCA DC, Washington, DC
Bloomin’ Florals, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, Virginia
Asian Traditions, Contemporary Expressions, Artworks Studio and Gallery, Reston, VA
2005-2013 Annual Art Committee show at Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, VA
Selected Private Collections:
Mr. and Mrs. R. Simpson, Great Falls VA
R. Wright, Great Falls VA
Mr. and Mrs. A. Chambers, Herndon VA
Dr. S. Rood, Clifton, VA
I. Macilwraith, Alexandria VA
J. C. Townsend, Cabin John, MD
L. Tyson, Reston, VA
S. Duquette, Woodbridge, VA
J. Verrall, Houston, TX
Mr. and Mrs. E McLaren, Portland, OR
Mr. and Mrs. T. Lubitz, Ben Lomond, CA
Selected Awards, Honors and Publications:
2013—Honor Award for “Green Vase with Attitude,” Reston Community Center, Young at Art
2012—“Losing Her Edge,” élan magazine, April 2012, pp. 40-44.
2011 – UU World magazine, http://www.uuworld.org/spirit/articles/151710.shtml
2009 — Honorable Mention for “Layers,” League of Reston Artists, multi-media juried exhibit
Memberships/Affiliations
Great Falls Studios, League of Reston Artists, AHH! (Art Happens Here!) Studios (founder)
Education:
Studied with notable local artists, including Brenda Belfield, Jennifer Schoechle, Kurt Schwarz, Erik Swanson, Marsha Staiger, John Blee, Melanie Stanley, and Marise Riddell. Course work in Religion and Art at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
B.A., Magna Cum Laude and with Honors, Chemistry, MacMurray College
M.A., Science, Technology and Public Policy, George Washington University
Ph.D. Political Science, George Washington UniversityStudied with notable local artists, including Brenda Belfield, Jennifer Schoechle, Kurt Schwarz, Erik Swanson, Marsha Staiger, John Blee, Melanie Stanley, and Marise Riddell. Course work in Religion and Art at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
