| Biography I am an alchemist whose paintings and assemblages transform fabric and objects through color and humourous juxtapositions. I grew up in many places and made my home within the walls of whatever house, townhouse or apartment we were living. This has given me a rich visual vocabulary and an ability to talk to strangers without fear. Spending time with my sketchbook became my favorite activity. It gave me an excuse to sit for hours gazing at whatever scenery I found myself in - whether it was at the top of the Katerina Berg am Kaiserstuhl in Germany, the streets of Paris or the dunes of Lake Michigan - it was my constant companion. No matter where we happened to live, we always went back most summers to my great grand parents house in Pentwater, Michigan. Many people knew me as the grand daughter of Laura Johnson, which gave me a sense of history. When I was in Germany I was the daughter of Anneliese Knab, again more history. On my father's side they were all artists, on my mother's business owners - artists in their own right. My grandparents met at the Scarab Club in Detroit and my parents met in Stuttgart, Germany while my father was serving in the Army. Thomas Mann theorized that people who are the progeny of different cultures are more creative, he was talking about himself, and I'll take that as a positive. My Grandmother bought me a microscope and we grew amoeba in our dining room, while she taught me to knit, crochet and make paper dolls. My Oma always made me feel comfortable and loved for being me, her grand daughter. My artwork explores what it is to be human through the myriad perspectives I have encountered, embrace and deconstruct. It is a search for identity within the confines of a small town upbringing and the anonymity of urban living. It is the product of a culturally diverse, chaotic childhood, filled with books, art and curiosity. And a life filled with an amazing amount of love. I love chaos and clean white sheets that have been newly ironed. I am easily distracted by spiders. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Resume' Education BA – Art & Design, Art Education -1998 Grand Valley State University, Allendale Michigan Art History, German Literature & Art – 1979-1983 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Michigan Exhibit History Group Shows 2008 Launchpad Gallery - L:ove Show 2006 Launchpad Gallery - 30 x 30 Anniversary Show Working Artists Studios - Commercialism Captain Ankeny's - I love Portland Tin Shed Café – Qu’art Yellow Show Launchpad Gallery – America City Hall – Qu’art Pride Show Working Artists Studios – Tenant Show Stumptown Coffee – Qu’art Valentine’s Launchpad Gallery – On Love Mark Woolley at The Wonder Gallery – Small Wonders 2005 White River Gallery – Juried Regional Artists Muskegon Museum of Art – Salon Galleries Yesterday & Tomorrow, Portland, OR Wildthyme, Hart, MI Our Gallery, Pentwater, MI Collections The Planet We Create for Our Children, 2004 - Escamilla Family, Mears, Michigan Hiding Behind Green Eye, Oil on Cloth Diaper, 2006 – Wolf Herr, Nigeria Green Field, Oil on Cloth Diaper, 2005 - Mr. & Ms. Tuttle, Muskegon Michigan Rainbow Landscape, Almost Straight Series, Acrylic on Linen Napkin, 2005 – Ms. Pesek, St. Paul Minnesota It Matches Your Living Room, Acrylic on Matt Board, 2005 – Ms. Weingartner, Ann Arbor Michigan I Live in The Swamp, Almost Straight Series, Acrylic, 2004 – Mr. Swenor, US Army Jazz Bottles, 1998 - Stephen Frankland Community Involvement Qu'art PDX - Queer and Queer Friendly Artist Collective Working Artists Studios - Exhibition and Curation of Gallery Space Oregon Potters Association - Member Oceana Home Partnership - Former Board President and Trustee FlowerCreek Music Alliance - Board President, PR & Booking |