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D. was born in Saratoga, NY, lived most of her life in Idaho, several years in Prescott, Arizona and now resides in "The Horse Capitol of the World" Lexington, Kentucky. A long time professional horse trainer and competitor, she began painting when she was 30. "I'm a late starter. It never even occurred to me to become an artist when I was younger." Even then, her painting took a back seat until about eight years later. "Life just kept getting in the way. I had two small girls, and lost my husband to cancer in 2000. I have so much empathy for struggling artists, you have no idea."
She grew up spending time in the mountains and high deserts of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Always a lover of animals and nature, the outdoors was her world to explore on foot or from the back of a horse. She now divides her time between the Bluegrass of Kentucky and the Rocky Mountain West. "The majority of my life I spent in the west. So even though I love my piece of heaven here on the farm, there is always a pull to get back to the mountains and the hugeness of the landscape there."
"This life is such a joy for me. I am happiest in a field of mares and foals, in the mountains looking for elk and moose, watching the mist rise on a high country lake with Trumpeter Swans, sketching, photographing or just observing. When I am gathering reference material, every painting is a tremendous possibility. What a wonderful way to spend one's time, being in the places I love surrounded by the birds and animals that inhabit them.
Animals have always been and still are such an intrinsic part of my life. They have been my companions, my sanctuary, my solace in dark times and now the source of inspiration for my art. I never tire of watching them. I paint what I find beautiful and they are my constant muses. Each has a unique beauty and soul that is my goal to capture."
She has been privileged to study with “incredible artists" such as Morgan Weistling, Dan Mieduch, Jim Wilcox, Andre Pater, Quang Ho, Tom Browning, Greg Beecham, Jim Norton, Gary Carter and Sam Savitt. "Morgan was a huge influence early in my painting career. I was so fortunate to be in one of the few workshops he has done and that he stayed in contact with me afterwards. Quang Ho has been a bit of an artlife changer for me. Exactly things I needed to hear. I draw with Andre Pater on a weekly basis. Everything has accelerated since I started doing that. I am so fortunate to have access to such a master."
"Painting is now necessary for me. It is a roller coaster ride of disappointment, frustration, exhilaration and satisfaction. It's work. I wish I was an artist who could get lost in a painting and realize they've been painting for hours, but I'm not. Art is such a great journey of self awareness and I have accepted (finally) how I am, how I approach painting, and how I don't. The only rule is there are no rules. That works for me.
My desire with my paintings is to convey moments I have experienced, the connection I feel, with animals. Whether it is the look in the eye of a wolf trotting towards me at daybreak, being ground level with a new foal sleeping in the grass in the warm sun, the adoration in a dog’s eyes …. these moments inspire me to remember them and share with others what it felt like to be there. So many people connect with animals as I do and it is a wonderful bond to share.”
D. is very happily remarried to Tim, a widower himself. They love to travel but also hang out (i.e. work) on the farm. "We love the Bluegrass life!" They currently (current being the operative word) own five horses, two Thoroughbreds off the track and three young homebreds, three dogs and three cats. Whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, rabbits, wild turkeys and birds too numerous to mention inhabit the farm as well.
"Supporting charities dear to me is one of the huge benefits of my painting." Some of the charities D. has supported with donated paintings over the years are:
Woodford Humane Society
Iroquois Hound Welfare Fund
Wyoming Wetlands
Thoroughbred Charities of America
Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
Bluegrass Conservancy
Lexington Cancer Foundation
True Prospect Farm Fire Recovery Fund
CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses)
Art Division Los Angeles
Nature Conservancy of Kentucky
She grew up spending time in the mountains and high deserts of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Always a lover of animals and nature, the outdoors was her world to explore on foot or from the back of a horse. She now divides her time between the Bluegrass of Kentucky and the Rocky Mountain West. "The majority of my life I spent in the west. So even though I love my piece of heaven here on the farm, there is always a pull to get back to the mountains and the hugeness of the landscape there."
"This life is such a joy for me. I am happiest in a field of mares and foals, in the mountains looking for elk and moose, watching the mist rise on a high country lake with Trumpeter Swans, sketching, photographing or just observing. When I am gathering reference material, every painting is a tremendous possibility. What a wonderful way to spend one's time, being in the places I love surrounded by the birds and animals that inhabit them.
Animals have always been and still are such an intrinsic part of my life. They have been my companions, my sanctuary, my solace in dark times and now the source of inspiration for my art. I never tire of watching them. I paint what I find beautiful and they are my constant muses. Each has a unique beauty and soul that is my goal to capture."
She has been privileged to study with “incredible artists" such as Morgan Weistling, Dan Mieduch, Jim Wilcox, Andre Pater, Quang Ho, Tom Browning, Greg Beecham, Jim Norton, Gary Carter and Sam Savitt. "Morgan was a huge influence early in my painting career. I was so fortunate to be in one of the few workshops he has done and that he stayed in contact with me afterwards. Quang Ho has been a bit of an artlife changer for me. Exactly things I needed to hear. I draw with Andre Pater on a weekly basis. Everything has accelerated since I started doing that. I am so fortunate to have access to such a master."
"Painting is now necessary for me. It is a roller coaster ride of disappointment, frustration, exhilaration and satisfaction. It's work. I wish I was an artist who could get lost in a painting and realize they've been painting for hours, but I'm not. Art is such a great journey of self awareness and I have accepted (finally) how I am, how I approach painting, and how I don't. The only rule is there are no rules. That works for me.
My desire with my paintings is to convey moments I have experienced, the connection I feel, with animals. Whether it is the look in the eye of a wolf trotting towards me at daybreak, being ground level with a new foal sleeping in the grass in the warm sun, the adoration in a dog’s eyes …. these moments inspire me to remember them and share with others what it felt like to be there. So many people connect with animals as I do and it is a wonderful bond to share.”
D. is very happily remarried to Tim, a widower himself. They love to travel but also hang out (i.e. work) on the farm. "We love the Bluegrass life!" They currently (current being the operative word) own five horses, two Thoroughbreds off the track and three young homebreds, three dogs and three cats. Whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, rabbits, wild turkeys and birds too numerous to mention inhabit the farm as well.
"Supporting charities dear to me is one of the huge benefits of my painting." Some of the charities D. has supported with donated paintings over the years are:
Woodford Humane Society
Iroquois Hound Welfare Fund
Wyoming Wetlands
Thoroughbred Charities of America
Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
Bluegrass Conservancy
Lexington Cancer Foundation
True Prospect Farm Fire Recovery Fund
CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses)
Art Division Los Angeles
Nature Conservancy of Kentucky
My beloved Max. Gone far too soon. My life will forever be emptier without you. 2017
