Artist Acknowledgments & Thanks

Acknowledgement and thanks go out to the following people (in no particular order), because without them, I would not be where I am today. You are all part of my TEAM:

Mom and Rodger- for editing my writing for art when I needed help, for help in designing the brochures to send out to the interior designers and architects, for always believing in my work and encouraging my creative side. I’m always reminded of this when I think of the dinosaur drawing with the tail connected to a tree, or my babysitting cards you made from my horrible baby drawing when I was 12.

Dad- for the Kodak instamatic in which I captured my first landscape photos ever while in Arkansas; for the father-daughter trips we took for subject matter; for taking care of things around the house, so I could travel for subject matter and to shows; for helping during art shows. I will never forget that first show set up in the dark, because we had no flashlight, and because it was only the second time I had set up the canopy. RIP Dad, but I know you’re watching over me!

Kristy- there is not enough space here to thank you for all the support you have shown me through the years; for keeping my website up to date, helping with show set-ups, taking care of Prince while I’ve been gone, for all the prep work on the magnets that one year, for all the awesome trips we’ve taken together, and for all the shout outs and support of my work. What would I do without you sis?

Chris, my uncle- for instilling in me that we don’t always have to follow the rules. I’ll never forget the time I showed you both a landscape and an abstract (the landscape had been manipulated). I told you that I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to create realistic or abstract pieces. You replied with, “Why do you have to choose?” Super glad I never chose!

Gay, my aunt- for purchasing that HUGE piece from the silent online auction for charity in Arkansas, the first sale at an auction in which I had donated, for hosting me during SF area shows and for your support through the years.

Grandma– for your love and support of my work and always hosting me in Houston. RIP Grandma...I know you and Dad are watching over me.

Covert, my uncle and Lynda, my aunt– for your love and continued support all these years, especially during 2017.

Guy, my uncle and Laura, my aunt– for your continued support all these years. RIP Guy...we miss you.

Sean & Shavaun– for your support during these years, especially during 2017.

Natalie, Michelle, and George, my cousins, and their families– for your support during these years, especially during 2017.

Joylynne– for being an incredible host on my trips up and back to NM and CO, and for your support in November 2017. You don’t know how much you helped us or how much it meant to us.

Stephen– for your continued support over the years.

Lana, Roger, Gary, Ian, Grace & RJ– for your support throughout the years and for being incredible hosts!

Lisa C-S– for your support of my work throughout the years!

Ian– for providing me with the welding sleeves and cap. They have made such a huge difference in my dirtiness.

Nathan- for being such a great brother in law and for hosting us during our shows in Chicago, and for surprising Shawna on her bday.

Susan- for being such a great mother-in-law and for your support of my work and for supporting us during our adventures. We couldn’t have some of the many adventures without you.

Cheryl– for my first acrylic paint set. I will always remember our painting sessions of “happy little trees” at the kitchen table when I first moved to Tucson and we lived in that tiny little apartment in Knollwood Terrace.

Teri- for the first Canon camera-the first professional tool that enabled me to bring back visions from which to create artwork, and for the support through the years. I will never forget that trip to Monterrey, Mexico and the dance club that sparked my interest in metal and fell in love with it.

Sharon- for the space to create and for the support of my work. I will never forget the trips to Hawaii, St Lucia, and Mexico, as beautiful sites were seen and captured and fun times were had. I will never forget all the pizza and raw almonds we ate at the Windjammer or the green flash in Hawaii!

Oscar- for pointing out my subconscious extension of the piers in my very first mixed-media piece with welded metal. This observation brought to my attention what I had done and therefore was able to make it more intentional and thus create a “signature” for my work today. And for being my copilot on the road trip down to South Padre Island. I’ll never forget the lens issue I had (once you reminded me), nor the Cher, Madonna, Melissa playlist we listened to on the way.

Jamie- for all the opportunities to show in my early showing days, for the continued support and artist gatherings we’ve had, for being an incredible host for me during WEST and for the push to create smaller pieces using an etching process. This little push helped me expand my processes and bring my work to a wider audience!

Lynette- for acceptance into my first art show ever at the Woodlands, where I had the first sale in an art show, and for your continued support since 2006.

Amy A- for all the awards at all of the shows, for your continued support of my work through the years...and Melissa was awesome, btw, so thank you!

Rod- for convincing me to carry a showstopper piece, and to not be lazy

All of my collectors, too many of which to name— without your patronage, support and belief in my work, I would not have been able, or continue to create pieces that no one else in the world creates! Thank you!

Armadillo Team- for the artist reunions every year, for purchasing my work at times, and for bringing out the patrons!

All my Pearson people- for allowing me to travel for art and shows, while working full time. I surely appreciated the flexibility!

Tav, Emily, Kerry, Toni, and Sunshine (Hopefully I didn’t forget anyone)- for helping me hand address all those envelopes to interior designers and architects, for the fun cruises and time in Costa Rica, and for the continued support throughout the years.

Shauna- for the first purchase of one of my photos. I see a rainbow (imagine the hand making an arc like a rainbow)!!

Vicky- for the first purchase of my art and for your support at my shows early in my art career. RIP, and I know you must be with my Dad!

Peggy- for the first purchase of a commissioned piece of my work, and for the encouragement to keep creating

Melissa- for the first purchase of piece at an artshow and for your continued support and patronage

Robin and Lisa- for purchasing my first sculpture and for helping me with my first multi piece exhibit at River Place Country Club

Starbucks on far west ATX, Starbucks downtown ATX, Billy’s on Barton Springs, Patio Dolcetto in San Marcos, Dave’s Automotive in Leander, Austin Visual Arts Association, Boardwalk Condominiums and JW Marriott (Grand Rapids), MOD Coffee House, Happy Trails Gallery, Art on 5th, ABIA, BoConcept, Artisan Style Gallery (Artisans at Rocky Hill), Vino 100, Rusty’s, Lipstick, Austin Java, Buda City Hall- for allowing me to display my works

Taylor B- for allowing me to hang my work at the Starbucks on Far West

Betty J-for allowing me to hang work at Northwest Hills Gallery

Ryan and Jean-for allowing me to hang my work at Patio Dolcetto

Michelle (Rocket)– for allowing me to hang my work at Dave’s Ultimate Automotive

Kyle G- for allowing me to display my work at your gallery, Oxidize Metal

Kelli M (Austin Visual Arts Association)- for your support of my work throughout the years and for all the exhibitions both at AVAA and at the airport

Anne P–for allowing me display my work at Artisan Style Gallery (Artisans at Rocky Hill)

Hang Right-for doing such an efficient job when installing my work

Angela (MOD Coffee House)- for allowing me to display my work

Walter– for the exchange of artwork for the awesome printer! I loved hearing your story about your bike trip across the US!

Lexie- for including me in various group shows (i.e. Austin Java on Barton Springs, Vino 100 in RR)

Kevin- for the kiddie pool to etch my small pieces

Alice P- for the trade of artwork for the Italy trip and for your continued patronage of my work and donations to the NuestroCamino project, etc!

Alice S- for being an incredible host during ArtPrize 2 years in a row and for the friendship that we formed because of that! I think God did put us together!

Lisa H-C- for your help at ArtPrize, for being an incredible host of my work during your group show, supporting and believing in my work all these years and your patronage of my work

Joel and Gary- for the first BIG commission of multiple pieces

Ruth and Gary- for being constant collectors and commissioners of my work

Stephanie and Susan- for being constant collectors of my work and and for your valued input on my art

Wendy- for being an incredible host during EAST

Reji- for being an incredible host during EAST

Leslie- for being an incredible host during my art show in Phoenix

Kelly- for being an incredible host as I made my way from CT to IL, stopping in OH

Denice and Mary- for helping me clean up my shop those years ago, and for being constant collectors and supporters of my work

Dyanne- for watching the Prince during armadillo so I could concentrate on selling my work

Sheryl and Jimmy- for being an incredible host of my work and me during Art Party V

Mr and Mrs Rood- For being an incredible host during Septemberfest

All the people who contributed photos to the “W3 AR3 ALL CONN3CT3D” piece either by being subjects or by submitting photos

Tom N- for use of the green room for the photo shoot for “W3 AR3 ALL CONN3CT3D”

All the people who have donated monetarily to NuestroCamino

Terry- for the help in determining pricing for my limited edition etched pieces

Chris and Pamela- for being an incredible host in UAE and for the first purchase shipped overseas

Carrie- for being an incredible host in London and for your continued support

Jeff- for helping me set up in Minneapolis and your continued support of my work

Shellie- for booth sitting at the Domain that one time, and for your continued support and patronage of my work

MaryAnn- for being an incredible host during the ABQ art show

Sue and Suzzette- for putting me in touch with Karen In CO springs so I could capture subject material while on my first solo road trip

Karen W- for being an incredible host during my stay in CO Springs

Eric L- for the suggestion and text for hiring people to help me set up and breakdown. It made things so much easier

Joleen- for the shoutouts and posts about my work

Donna- for the camino guidebook that enables my sis and me to plan our 500 mile walk across Spain. I’m still referring to it as I work on NuestroCamino and MiCamino pieces

Vic- for the silent auction idea for shows. I sold quite a few pieces using this method!

Lisa W- for the first business commission, the second largest commission project I’ve had!

Quincy- for coordinating the show at Austin Java in Barton Springs

Tonia and Adrienne- for being incredible hosts for the shows at your house

Adrienne, Ducky, Scott, James, Roy- for participating in the first group exhibition at my place

James- for coordinating showings at Craigo’s and Art Over Congress

Victoria S- for your constant patronage and support of my work

Peter and Smiley- for driving us down to Monterey where I fell in love with metal

Out Magazine- for the article about my work

Ara13- for coordinating the exhibition at MOD Coffee House

Liz Z- for teaching me how to wire work correctly

Dillar- for allowing me to display my work at BoConcept. I still want to know who bought that Brooklyn Bridge piece. And for the referral to Hang Right in Dallas.

Anne B- for showing my work at Artisans at Rocky Hill

Laura V & Brian- for being incredible hosts of my work at Rusty’s. RIP Laura...we all miss you

Ginger- for your continued patronage and support of my work throughout the years

Juli- for arranging the exhibition at Lipstick

Jen L- for going with me on those photo shoots and allowing me to use your likeness in that Austin piece. And Hummingbirds are beautiful!

Daryl H-for the advice at the seminar in Fort Worth and the advice about flooring for my booth

Daryl C-for the advice about having irregular size business cards and for the advice about following my dreams.RIP-you are truly missed by all!

Andrea and and Jim-for being incredible hosts for Kristy and me during our CT shows!

MCC-for being an incredible host during the MCC Holiday Bazaar!

Polly-for the wonderful art about austin, and painting classes. I learned a ton!

Mark-for the wonderful photography classes in which I learned so much!

Jamie W-for sewing the velvet drapes for the bottom of my propanels

Rita Marie- for that tip to change something small on the Yosemite piece! As soon as I did I sold it!!

Brad and Michelle- for being incredible hosts during my trip to and from the East coast.

Heidi and Lynn- for hosting Shawna and me during our MN show! Fast friends we became for sure!

Terri and Matt- for the continued commissions of my work and the continued support of my work

Felix- for each day that you check in with me to see if I’ve eaten and whether or not I want some fried chicken, eggs, and for all the help during these years as our neighbor

Shari- for the first purchase of a pair of pieces

Rebecca- for the awesome tattoo that has become my symbol and for convincing me NOT to put all my collectors initials on my back!

Jennifer W- for all your help during EAST

CJ- for arranging the showing at Artisan in Dallas

Baron and Marla- for the purchase of the first big piece of art sold at a show

Cat- for the multiple purchases of my work and for your continued support throughout the years

Melea- for the first piece that sold just as the show opened. It was very exciting!

Taylor B- for allowing me to hang my work at the Starbucks on Far West

Ryan and Jean- for allowing me to hang my work at Patio Dolcetto

Michelle (Rocket)- for allowing me to hang my work at Dave’s Ultimate Automotive

Kyle G- for allowing me to display my work at your gallery, Oxidize Metal

Kelli M (Austin Visual Arts Association)- for your support of my work throughout the years and for all the exhibitions both at AVAA and at the airport

Boardwalk Condominiums- for allowing me to hang my work at ArtPrize

JW Marriott (Grand Rapids)- for allowing me to install my WAAC piece during ArtPrize

Happy Trails Gallery- for allowing me to hang my work

Art on 5th- for allowing me to display my work in a gallery for the first time

Anne P- for allowing me display my work at Artisan Style Gallery (Artisans at Rocky Hill)

Hang Right- for doing such an efficient job when installing my work

To all of my teachers, professors, principals, assistant principals, counselors, and admin people at Gerber Preschool, Westview Elementary, St. Matthew, Central High School, United States Air Force Academy, Pima Community College, University of Arizona, Austin Community College, Univeristy of Texas, Laguna Gloria, AVAA-for providing me with the skills to navigate life, both in educational, scientific, artistic, and personal settings. Without you all, I would never had had the skills!

Shawna, my love and copilot these past years- for your continued support and belief in my work, for traveling with me to shows and to locations for subject matter, for waking up at the butt crack of dawn to get sunrise photos, for staying up late to get sunset photos, for all the help before, during, and after shows, for all the “adventures” and “misadventures” wherever we go, for all the laughs we have together wherever we are. I can’t imagine these life adventures without you. ♥♥♥ 💋💋💋 XOXOXOXOXOXO

I love you all! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! XOXOXOXO