The Artist

Beginning in childhood, portraying people in art has always been my love, but I avoided doing portrait commissions for many years. In my past expressionistic paintings, I often used my children as subjects. Then, when a friend asked me to do a similar painting of her daughter, I realized how challenging and rewarding it is to capture a likeness and reflect the spirit of the subject. I was hooked. Now I relish working with clients to produce a work of art that they will treasure.

I studied painting with Debra Clem, Robert Tharsing and Mitchell Tolle, Jr., and I continue my education through workshops, classes and involvement with professional societies and fellow artists
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In 1999, I designed the Celebration Quilt for the opening of the Kentucky History Center, and I continue my long-time quilt making habit by making a baby quilt for each of my seven grandchildren. I retired from Kentucky Educational Television, where I was communications director, in 2006.

On our farm in Owen County, my husband John Harrod and I take care of a small menagerie of dogs and cats. John and I play traditional Kentucky music, and I love to draw and paint pictures of musicians.

Resumé

Born:        Dec. 5, 1946, Paducah, KY

Residence:   Owen County, KY

Education:    BA English, Vassar College, 1968

Art classes at:
The Cooper Union School of Art, New York, NY 1969
Kentucky State University, 1986
University of Kentucky, 1998
Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, KY 200?
Mitchell Tolle Studio, Berea, KY 2012-14

Solo Exhibitions:
“The Raw and the Cooked,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, 2001

Group Exhibitions:
“2nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit,” Shelby Development Corp, Arts on Main Committee, Shelbyville, KY, 1998
“All Members Open,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, 1998
“Masterpieces of Maturity,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, 1998
“All Members Open,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, 1999
“Annual Member Groups Show,” Lexington Arts & Cultural Council, Lexington, KY, 1999
“LAL Summer Open,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY, 2000
“Gifts of the Season,” First United Methodist Church, Frankfort, KY, 2008
“Scenes of Gainsborough,” Freedom Fest, Woodford Humane Society, Versailles, KY, 2008
“Horsin’ Around Frankfort,” Frankfort Tourist Commission, Frankfort, KY, 2010
“Governor’s Derby Exhibit,” Kentucky Arts Council, Capitol Building, Frankfort, KY, 2014
“Music Scenes,” travelling exhibition, Kentucky Arts Council, 2015
Awards:   First Prize, “Annual Juried Art Exhibit,” Shelby Development Corporation, Arts on Main Committee, Shelbyville, KY, 1998

Work in Collections: Brown-Forman Corporation

Member:
Portrait Society of America
Oil Painters of America
National Watercolor Society
Kentucky Watercolor Society