I am, by all means, a self-taught artist. In 1999, I began what would be my future art career with nine months of drawing instruction by Jenny Chi; at that time, a professor at the University of North Florida, and now Professor of Art at Eastern Illinois University. With the solid foundation in drawing Jenny was able to give me, I started painting and have been painting ever since.
Much to my delight, my paintings began to grow and grow in popularity. After only painting a year, a local fine art gallery noticed my work and began exhibiting and selling my paintings. Two other galleries began exhibiting and selling my paintings. And, by April 2004, I was selected to participate in Jacksonville’s premier emerging artists showcase, Art After Dark. I have been featured in many juried and local group shows, as well as articles in local newspapers and magazines.
In 2004, I began to teach others to paint and have enjoyed full classes of students with waiting lists ever since. Teaching returns a tremendous sense of satisfaction to me. I plan on expanding and teaching more and more. It is such a pleasure to see a student grasp hold of a concept for the first time.
Now, in 2010, I am the happy owner of a fine art gallery and art school, Corse Gallery & Atelier. The gallery, in just two short years, has secured a national reputation as a leader among art galleries of today. We represent artists from around the country. The gallery is also host to three- to five-day workshops given by some of the most gifted and talented artists of our time. Students come from all over the world to attend these workshops, some from as far away as Trinidad.
I have been asked to judge several local juried exhibitions and shows. It is always a challenge to choose the best among many.
As time goes on, I am so thankful to God for all the blessings He’s bestowed upon me, and only hope I can manage to do some little thing in return.
Associations and Affiliations
Signature Member, Women Painters of the Southeast
Member, Oil Painters of America
St. Augustine Art Association
Florida Plein Air Painters
Florida Artists Registry
Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts
Honors and Awards
June 2007 Summer Show/Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts
Honors Award
June 2007 ArtUnleashed Show/Bella Sera
Third Place Honors
July 2006 Summer Show/Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts
Honors Award
March 2006 ArtReach Show/Schultz Center
Honors Award
February 2006 Art Unleashed Show/Steller’s San Marco Gallery
Honors Award
November 2004 Selected as one of twelve area artists to paint violins for the Symphony auction
April 2004 Selected as one of twelve of the Jacksonville area’s most talented emerging artists
September 2002 Fall Show/Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts
Honors Award
January 2001 Black and White Show/St. Augustine Art Association
