Through my art, I endeavor to express my feelings of joy and awe at the beauty of nature (including mankind) through the use of color and light.  I am not tied to any particular technique.  In a day and age that is centering on destructive elements, I hope to “remind us how to embrace this beautiful broken world once again with an open heart” (Terry Tempest Williams).  Painting in the mediums of acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints allows me to build my color, light, and depth through layering, translucency, and value changes.

 

Having received my BA and MA degrees (fine arts and education) from Anderson University and ISU respectively, I taught art in the South Vermillion School Corporation (and previously at Southwest Parke) until retirement.  After retirement I taught art in Madison County and Jay County.  These positions included kindergarten through high school art.  These experiences impressed me with the pure joy that children have with the creative process itself and that you should paint what you love or what moves you.

 

Active in the Wabash Valley Art Guild, I exhibited art in Terre Haute and surrounding areas, taking several ribbons.  I painted two murals in the area:  one was painted with a fellow artist at Union Hospital’s chapel, and another was a panel section at the Saratoga Restaurant (both under the name of Bonness).  I completed commissioned pieces in Vermillion County, Vigo County, and Delaware County.  In May 2023, I received a second place award for my "Safe in the Harbor" acrylic at the Kokomo Art Association's 95th Annual art show. I am currently active in the Muncie Artists Guild and Alcove Artists.