Thank you for this opportunity to “stand” on the Red Carpet! I have, actually, crossed a few real red carpets, due to my husband’s film career. While highly romanticized, I assure you, for most of us, it is just another crossing to another entrance. I prefer to be incognito (do I have a choice?), so while attached by marriage to one with some high-profile film and jazz credits to his name, they are his credits. I enjoy some of the benefits.

One of my earlier art careers was as a dancer. I completed an MFA degree in dance at New York University in 1979. Below, with Hulton, Altenhaus and Dancers, c. 1981, one of the companies I was part of before migrating back to visual art.

Altenhaus, Hulton & Dancers, c.1981

I made a choice about 30 years ago, to focus my art career on being an instructor and facilitator. I have worked professionally as a graphic artist for years, as well as studying and teaching watercolor and printmaking. I appreciate the importance of the promotion end of the art world, but it has never been my favorite thing. I am always working on my own artwork in one way or another, but my true joy is in creating or facilitating art to help others. That has included teaching gifted middle schoolers how to handle, and paint with watercolors; using art to bring normalcy to inpatient pediatric patients; facilitating art activities for children on the autism spectrum; doing art and beading with out-patient infusion treatment recipients; leading adult sessions for both artist and non-artists aimed at stress reduction; teaching printmaking to adults; helping lead various committees for NAWA; and now at the helm, trying to fill the shoes of the role of Executive Director of our wonderful Association.

Still Life, watercolor c. 1991

As women, we have numerous choices to make across the life span. I could envision a life without marriage and children, but decided I preferred to experience those roles rather than not. I married in 1983, and am still married to Richard. It was a leap of faith, marrying him when he was a jazz musician. He made the choice to migrate to the film industry shortly after marriage, to better support the family. After our daughter was born, I kept my hand in artmaking by studying watercolor with Denise Collins, a student of Edgar Whitney. We subsequently had two more children, both sons.

Watermelon, drypoint monoprint inspired by my daughter

Because of the death of my father when I was 12, I had a mother who was quite present for me and my 3 siblings before his death, but then she went to work full-time when he passed away at age 40. I knew what each situation felt like for me, as the child, so I wanted to be available for my children. I kept teaching part time, but my magnum opus was to raise those children. I don’t judge anyone who sets up a family system any way that works, but this was my choice, due to the contrasts I felt growing up. At one point, upon completing the art therapy training at The College of New Rochelle, around 2002, I began an art series- Visual Journal- to work through that very traumatic loss of my father. I posted it at a Thanatology Conference. Of course, this did not stop the grief – that never completely evaporates. It did transform certain painful aspects of my obsession with the loss. Below is #4 of that 5-piece series.

On the Line, Visual Journal4, solarplate etchings, watercolor, mini-clothespins, & calligraphy

I wanted to incorporate photo imagery into my artwork, so I took a photo-transfer classes with Penny Dell, former NAWA president. This introduced me also to other aspects of printmaking. I subsequently studied for over 10 years with NAWA member and printmaker, Dorothy Cochran.

Penny was NAWA president when I took her class, and Dorothy was also a NAWA member. Dorothy invited me, with a group of other students, to a NAWA annual luncheon. I wanted to be a part of this! I became an Associate Member in 2010, joined as a full member in 2011.

Out of the Cold Blue Winter, 3-block linocut, inspired by emerging from winter 2021, fraught with the pandemic

My children are now fully launched. Two of them are in the movie industry, like their dad, and the other one working in the electric vehicles’ unit at Con Edison. Richard, after 35 years of making movies, has now returned to his jazz music career, playing with numerous world-class jazz musicians. I have my own printing press, where I utilize various types of plates, with various styles and subjects according to whim, curriculum of the season, or compulsion. I am inspired by nature, activities, and people in my environment. Having time to do my own work is difficult with my new job at NAWA, but I derive a lot of satisfaction from promoting NAWA artists, and helping them get recognition through NAWA programs, exhibitions and awards.

After 11 years with NAWA, I sincerely enjoy knowing the diverse and fascinating artist members. We are the ones with one of the best keys to inner transformation through imagery. Art itself is an ever-evolving world, but certain constants remain. If, imagine, all the computers, canvas, paper, inks, paint tubes and brushes disappeared from the earth, humans would still pick up a stick and scratch images into the dirt. I just know this is true. Art is a necessity!