My recent work is suggestive of new or previously hidden views, sometimes seen through transitory glimpses of light, reflection or the prism of water. These views suggest dimensions beyond which we can normally see; glimpses that may appear without warning, whether sudden and clear, or effuse and transient as mist. This work points toward hope, and an opening of mind to evoke solution.
First captured through my photography, I create a new vision using oil paint and wax, combined with portions of my photographic images, which are applied first, beneath the paint, while allowing parts to show through. I build a structural unity that is intended as present while seeming to be simultaneously evolving. The edges of the underlying images are an integral part of the work, evoking the unity of parts coming together, and dissolving or evolving forms.
I come from a family of artists, where art was considered equivalent to life itself. My father, David von Schlegell’s work had a huge subconscious influence on my psyche. As a teenager, the gift of an old 35mm camera awakened in me a fascination with the changeable qualities and allusions of water and reflected light. This early inspiration, occasionally caught by my camera, influenced much of my later work. .
I have worked extensively with oil, photography, encaustic, cold wax, pastel, printmaking, and mixed media. I paint and teach art at my home studio in Amherst, Massachusetts, and have shown work at galleries and venues in and around New England and at my many open studio events.
CV
Work/ Current and Recent - Mixed Media (oil, wax and collaged photography)
Past Work - Landscape in Oil, Encaustic, Assemblage Paintings, Printmaking, Photography
Art Related Study
BA in Studio Art - MECA, Portland Maine and Smith College, Northampton MA
MA in Art Ed., Art Therapy - Antioch New England, UMass Amherst
Private Teachers - Ned Hergleroth (drawing), Bill Rathbun (silversmithing)
Art Related Employment
Private Art Teaching - small groups - 2000 until Present
Public Art Teaching -Amherst MA Public Schools - 2005, 2006
LCA - Leverett, MA - ran group art class - ‘91, ‘92
Provided Individualized Instruction in Printmaking - Smith College - ‘93, ‘94
Design Work - Fabric design for Xanadu, a children's clothing company, CD Design
Exhibition/Recognition
LexArt - Juried Exhibit/‘At This Moment’ Upcoming Exhibit - 8/8-30/2026/ Awarded 1st Place/ Best in Show
Open Studio Solo Exhibits - Semi-annual 2016 - 2026
Wistariahurst Museum, Holyoke, MA - 3/12/24 - 4/16/24
Massachusetts. Arts Council Grant Award- 2023
Katonah Museum of Art, Group Exhibit - summer 2021
Juried Exhibits - Hosmer Gallery -MA, NCA Group Show- MA, Smith Small Works Exhibit,
Barn Gallery -Ogunquit, Maine, Katonah Museum of Art - NY
Commissioned Paintings - Encaustic - 2017, 2018
Burnett Gallery , Amherst MA, Solo and Group exhibits - 1998, 2004, 2014, 2017
Weare Art Gallery, Ogunquit ME - 1999 - 2002
Barnes Gallery at LCA - Leverett, MA - 1996
Smith College Acquisition - Book of etchings for Rare Book Room Permanent Collection
Hoyts Lane Gallery, Ogunquit, ME, 1989, 1990
York Art Association, York ME 1988, ‘89
Kuhn Gallery, Cape Neddick Maine 1979, ‘80