
Drawing has always been my first love.
Through the years I've mastered oils, airbrush, acrylics, pastels and charcoal.
The biggest influences on my artwork were Dorris E. Wilson (mother), Steven
L. Wilson (brother), Demorris C. Smith (first cousin), Kay Clay (high school
art teacher), Akira Arita (college drawing instructor) and the art of Norman
Rockwell. All of these individuals drew and painted in realism.
Since the age of three, my favorite subject was people. Rockwell's art became
familiar to me when I was five years old. I loved seeing the magazine covers
he would paint for a periodical my mother received once a month. I always
wanted to master portraits. I remember drawing my first self portrait at
eleven years of age.
In high school Mrs. Kay Clay encouraged
me to continue to polish my skills in drawing. She encouraged me to continue
working with the subjects and media I enjoyed the most and to submit a portfolio
to the Rhode Island School of Design where I was awarded a full scholarship.
When I entered college Akira Arita helped me take my drawing skill to an
entire new level. I know it was his instruction that lead me to believe
I had an extraordinary gift and he helped me begin to perfect it.
It's important to
me that my work have a message. The women who are present in my art are
a symbol of everything that is beautiful to me. Sometimes I'm not sure where
my artwork is going. I know that perfecting technique is very important
to me. As long as God permits me to.....I'll create. Professionally, I'm
an illustrator/graphic artist, but in my heart I know that I'm really a
fine artist.
Hmmmm...I guess I do know where my artwork
is going................
and I love it!
Exhibitions & Awards
2005 Meet the Artists, Indianapolis, IN
2004 One-Man Exhibition, Nicky Blaine's Indianapolis,
IN
2003 One-Man Exhibition, Indianapolis Arts Garden,
Indianapolis, IN
2001 The Virgin Cafe,
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
2000 1 of 12 Finalists in Chrysler Corporation’s
“Motion Through Art”
Competition
2000 One-Man Exhibition, The Clark County Library,
Las Vegas, NV
1998-1999, The Virgin Cafe, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
1998 The Las Vegas Art Museum Fall Art Round-Up
1998 Meet the Artists, Indianapolis, IN (1997, 1996, 1988)
1997 The Hoosier Salon, Indianapolis, IN (1996, 1987)
1997 Indianapolis Art Center Instructor’s Exhibition
(every year since 1985)
1997 Indiana Black Exposition (1996, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1987,
1985, 1980, 1976)
1997 The Indiana State Fair Professional Exhibition
(1996,
1989)
1995 Indianapolis Museum of Art, Alliance Rental Gallery,
(Also 1982)
1995 One-Man Exhibition, Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
1995 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
1994 Urban League National Convention, Indianapolis, IN
1993 Broad Ripple Art Fair, Indianapolis, IN
1989 Penrod Arts Fair, Indianapolis, IN
1982 Talbott Street Art Fair, Indianapolis, IN
1981 Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition
1981 Indianapolis Children’s Museum,
The
Neighbors' Art Exhibition
1980 One-Man Exhibition, Rhode Island School of Design
1977 L.S. Ayres Scholastic Art Competition (Also 1975)
1977 500 Festival of the Arts