“Whatever you do, don’t become an artist!”  These were words of warning from my German mother who was raised by two artists.  Fortunately for me, my grandfather took a different approach.  From an early age on, I received art lessons from this well-known professional graphic designer and art school instructor, and was surrounded by his illustrations and paintings, as well as artwork from his colleagues.

By the age of 18, I was ready to pursue a career in art, which led to a BFA (Design and Illustration) and BA (German) from The University of Akron, painting courses from Cleveland Institute of Art, and eventually an MFA from Indiana University.  I have illustrated and designed material for publishing and design firms in Akron and Cleveland, in Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana, and in Ames and Des Moines, Iowa.

Eager to spread my enthusiasm for all things art to the college age population and to continue my own explorations in art, I taught graphic design and illustration courses at Indiana University, Miami University, and Iowa State University (ISU).  I expanded my teaching, administrative and research interests to painting and drawing, and directed the Graduate Program in Visual Arts and the Biological and Pre-Illustration Program.  Two career highlights at ISU were teaching in Rome and creating drawings and watercolor that recorded the beauty of the “Eternal City”, and participating in and creating a series of watercolors chronicling the Smithsonian Institute’s Annual Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., which was purchased by the ISU Alumni Association.

My current work represents a multi-layered history of significant architectural and natural settings, which would include Northeast Ohio industrial and nature settings.  Previous themes have centered around landscapes and architecture of the “Heartland” and of Rome.

I have exhibited in the following annual juried shows:  Butler Institute of Art Midyear Show, Ohio; The Canton Art Institute All Ohio; Octagon Center for the Arts National Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Exhibition, Iowa; Louisiana State Archives River Road Show, Louisiana; Nicolet College Art Gallery Northern National Art Competition, Wisconsin; Northwest Art Center Americas:  All Media, North Dakota; Buchanan Center for the Arts 64 Arts National Juried Exhibition, Illinois.

Invited exhibitions have included:  Lanzhou University, China; Brunnier Art Museum, Iowa; International Wolf Center, Minnesota; MacNider Art Museum, Iowa; Indiana Graphic Design Annual Show, Indiana; Miami University Art Faculty Show, Luxembourg; Pensacola Illustration and Design Invitational, Florida; All America Cities Conference Exhibit, Pennsylvania; Ball State University, Indiana; Cincinnati Art Directors Show, Ohio; University & College Designers Association Annual Show, California.