About the Artist
Although having sketched my entire life, I only started formal art training as a senior at Loyola College in Maryland. A degree in biology with interests in medicine and art led me to investigate a career in medical illustration. On the advice of Ranice Crosby, the director of Medical Illustration at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, I studied watercolor with Fredrick Schuler Briggs, attended a year at Schuler’s School of Fine Art, and took several courses at the Maryland Institute College of Art. I entered the medical illustration program at Hopkins in 1980. There I earned the Annette S. Burgess Award for Ophthalmological Illustration. Working with Dr. Paul Manson, my thesis advisor and world renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I discovered my passion and career specialty, maxillo-facial reconstruction.
Upon graduation in 1982 with a Master’s degree in Medical and Biological Illustration, Ranice Crosby hired me as an ophthalmic illustrator. Three months later, I became the illustrator for the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. After six years at Hopkins, I continued with the Department of Plastic Surgery as a freelance illustrator. I became president of the Chesapeake Bio-communicators and a Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators.
My career took a back seat to my family after I married and gave birth to my second son. I became very active in my sons’ school ̶̶ volunteering for field trips, book fairs, and much more. After three years as head of the PTA, I worked part-time at Harford Friends School as Associate Director of Admissions. From 2010-15, I taught at Harford Community College as an adjunct faculty member in the Learning Resources Center. I currently teach portrait drawing and painting.
With both sons in college, I am now a happy empty nester, returning to my roots as an artist. I am thoroughly enjoying painting portraits in oils. I’m drawn to the Old Masters and classical realism. My foundation in plastic reconstructive surgery has enabled me to capture a sitter’s facial structure, likeness, and expression. It is my goal to capture the essence of who they are, their personality, and character.
