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As a toddler, I sat underneath quilts which were pinned in wooden frames as my mother, grandmothers, and their friends created delicate, feathery patterns with their stitches. Gazing up at the “staiqned glass” fabric, I watched them push their tiny quilting needles through the layers of muslin, cotton batting, and colorful squares. That is my earliest memory of beautiful art. 

My earliest memory of music was my grandmother playing the pump organ that her parents bought her in the early 1900's and singing hymns in the little country church which my ancestors helped establish.

As a second grader, I began piano lessons and later began voice lessons, which opened up an exciting musical world for me. As a teenager, I performed on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour (think Star Search, America's Got Talent, The Voice).

I continued my love of music, performing with the Manuel Family Cajun Band several years ago. At the same time, I felt the urge to create art on canvas and paper.

Now I've come full circle with Music and Art, Art and Music, combining my two life-long passions. 

The works in a new exhibit at Berger Gallery in the Arts Center of Cannon County are painted in gouache on piano music, most of it from my childhood. I tried to leave the gold stars and notes from my music teacher, occasionally incorporating them into the image.

Dancing ballerinas, buzzing bees, fluttering butterflies, beaming blossoms, and roaming alley cats find their images on waltzes, tangos, allegrettos, and pastorals.

The paintings will be on exhibit at Berger Gallery through May 30, 2019. I'd love for you to join us at the gallery on Sunday, May 19, 12:30 p.m. for a reception--1424 John Bragg Highway, Woodbury, TN.

For information regarding specific pieces, contact the gallery at 615-563-2787. 

I hope you enjoy the music and the art!