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Biography

Artist Statement

This era of disillusionment with our leaders and our country has inspired what I consider to be my biological imperative to practice art. My art tells stories, with my narratives, political cartoons and portraits to help people feel more connected and grounded in reality. Many people in urban communities don't often follow the continuity of events and political processes around them. One of the goals of my art is to offer a bit of substance and background, and bring people closer to issues and circumstances that affect us all.

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Music, people and politics are integral aspects of my art, sources for precious bits and ideas which I incorporate into my work. Music elicits deep graphic visuals, politics and social change present constant challenges, and people's faces are multi-colored landscapes full of rich experiences. I blend all this with our history, events and happenings from years gone by that are never really gone from us. I am flooded with a wealth of multicultural inspirations, and this is what I bring to my art.

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Aware that role models are in short supply in my cultural world, I see myself as an individual who uses her work to reach across boundaries, both race and societal, in order to give back power to those who feel marginalized and somehow short-changed. By creating art from an all-inclusive perspective, regularly featuring and focusing on people of color, my hope is that empowered individuals will find personal value in my work.

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Resume and Qualifications

Member - San Francisco Illustrators Society

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Education, Shows, and Publications

  • Richmond Art Center, The Art Of Living Black 2016, "Red Riding Hoodie"

  • California Book Store, in published compilation of children's joke books "How to" 2016, "Funny Ha Ha", single illustrations, 2015

  • Published Lee and Low Books, illustrated "In Her Hands, The Story Of Sculptor Augusta Savage", 2008 all 45 pages. Reviewed by Kirkus Review, 2009, Smithsonion Notable Children's Books 2009

  • Published, Ballantine/Knopf, illustrated book cover, "Space Between The Stars", Memoirs of Deborah Santana, Santana Management 2004

  • Oakland Art Association, John Hospital, Walnut Creek 2009

  • The African American Art & Culture Complex, Sargent Johnson Gallery, San Francisco 2007

  • Art of Living Black, 2003-2010 Richmond Art Center, Winner 2007

  • Open Studio, CBS Marketwatch.Com, "Crossing Bridges", San Francisco 2003

  • Academy of Art University Spring Show, First Place, Conceptual 2000

  • International Arts Festival, Southern Exposure Gallery, "Nuclear Rape", 1982

  • Art Installation, under Volkous, ceramic mural, Women's Center Theological Union UCB 1981

  • Academy of Art University, San Francisco, 2003 Illustration BA

  • Professors: Kazo Sano, Chuck Pyle

  • University at California Berkeley Fine Art BA

  • Professors: Peter Volkous, Elmer Bischof, Karl Kasten

 

Special Skills

  • Solid drawing painting and sculpting skills

  • Pattern making and textile design

  • Computer skills-Painter, Illustrator Photoshop, Bryce, Quark and Director

  • Editorial: Conceptual, political and humorous

  • Knowledge of written and spoken Spanish

  • Ability to manage and communicate resulting from solid experience of running a successful salon of my own for 8 years

  • Developed instincts for handling interpersonal situations as well as self-motivation and sensitivity to detail

  • Creative collaboration of styling skills with television and film

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References and portfolio are available upon request

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