PROFILE
Professional visual artist, educator, and curriculum designer with more than twenty years of experience creating engaging learning experiences for adult learners and an active exhibition record throughout Virginia and the Washington, DC region. Combines graduate-level expertise in curriculum and instruction with award-winning studio practice, public artist presentations, and the design of comprehensive painting and foundations curricula. Dedicated to helping beginning artists build confidence through observation, technical skill, thoughtful critique, and creative exploration while fostering an inclusive, encouraging studio environment.
education
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Master of Arts, Curriculum & Instruction
Bachelor of Science, Clothing & Textiles (Minor: Marketing)
tEACHING INTERESTS
Drawing • Foundations of Art & Design • Art Appreciation • Introduction to Painting • Acrylic Painting • Oil Painting • Color Theory • Composition • Two-Dimensional Design • Beginning Studio Art
STUDIO PRACTICE
Professional painter working primarily in acrylic and oil whose work explores landscape, wildlife, figurative subjects, and contemporary realism, as well as digital illustration and mural design. Maintains an active exhibition practice while developing educational experiences that connect observation, craftsmanship, and creative expression.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
• Into the Wilderness — IA&A at Hillyer, Washington, DC
• Into the Wilderness — Torpedo Factory Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA
• Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, VA
Selected Recognition
• Best in Show — Target Gallery
• First Place — Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts
• Second Place — Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts
• Third Place — Art Works Gallery, Richmond
ART EDUCATION & CURRICULUM
Founder & Curriculum Designer | BEZA Studio, Adonai Global Arts Fund
Designed a comprehensive sequence of studio art courses for learners emphasizing observational learning, technical foundations, and creative confidence. Developed complete course outcomes, demonstrations, studio exercises, critiques, and progressive learning pathways appropriate for community education and introductory college instruction.
ARTIST TALKS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Guest Presenter — "Her Voice, Her Vision," Museum of Visual Arts and Science / Flourishing Hearts Foundation (2026)
• Guest Presenter — "Celebrating Black History," LMI: Advanced Technology Solutions (2024)
• Guest Speaker — "The Art of Black Women Business Entrepreneurs," Northern Virginia Baptist Association (2023)
HIGHER EDUCATION PREPARATION
General Dynamics Information Technology | 2009–Present
Leads curriculum development, instructional design, mentoring, and adult learning initiatives for complex organizations. Experience developing learning outcomes, assessments, instructional materials, and faculty-quality educational resources (ILT/VILT/Blended) provides a strong foundation for teaching in higher education.