"Eye on the Prize" oil on canvas 72" x 48" (SOLD)

I view the world in geometric shapes anchored by color.  The canvas size I usually use exceeds 24" x 36", a comfortable plane to express a preconceived idea or spontaneous emotion.  I work with oils and I use large brushes, palette and jointing knives.  This allows  me the freedom to express myself without restrictions.  I apply the paint with bold brushstrokes and sharp edges.   My styles have evolved over the years, from representational to just the power of colors.  I have produced a series of paintings inspired by daily occurrences, dreams, attending a concert expressing my feelings with color, texture and motion.

EARLY YEARS

I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  The change in culture and environment was intimidating and yet exciting for a six-year old.  I was shy and found comfort with First Readers and browsing my older brother's comic books, studying how the use of a simple line and color conveyed a feeling or an action.   I enjoyed my coloring books and cherished my Crayola box.  The  crayons were used to the nibs!  Orange, red, yellow and black were my favorites.

My first introduction to oils was in my early teens.  I am grateful to a neighbor, Eva Masso who encouraged me to paint and for Christmas gifted me with an oil set complete with boards, linseed oil and brushes.  I discovered the smooth and sensual feel of the oils, their vibrancy, and how they would liven up the subject matter.  Once the oils were depleted I sketched flowers, vases or anything that was in front of me on whatever medium was available, pencils, pens, crayons on bits of paper, notebooks, envelopes and tissues.  Although I would not use oils until years later, my attraction remained.  

ADULTHOOD

In  the corporate world some co-workers shared my interest in art and encouraged me to return to painting.  I attended evening classes at F.I.T (Fashion Institute of Technology) taking courses in Life Drawing.  I acquired the discipline of quick studies of the human form and expressive actions.  Once, the model was a man on a motorcycle.  My only concentration was on the tires and the power they evoked. Another time it was a musician who played his guitar and entertained us with songs. I concentrated on the way his facial muscles expressed the words.

 I also took a photography course at  S.V.A (School of Visual Arts).  The first day, the teacher dismissed teaching us how to use our cameras referring us to the manual that accompanied the camera and instead sent us out to photograph whatever interested us. In developing my black and white film I experimented with the use of light and shadows to create a mood.

I met my spouse, Peter Prorok in NYC in 1976.  In the 80's we moved to New Jersey due to the relocation of our jobs.  In 1995 we formed our antique business , A Stage in Time in Lambertville, NJ.  After a few years we moved the business across the Delaware River to New Hope, PA, an artist community where I met artists and gallery owners who motivated me to pursue my painting.  We now  operate our business in Lambertville where we currently reside above our gallery.

EXHIBITS

I have had exhibitions at the New Hope Sidetracks Gallery's annual "Naked in New Hope" for thirteen years and at the Central Bucks Byers Juried Show.  I have exhibited at benefits for QSPOT, an LGBTQ outreach center in Ocean Grove NJ and for Robert Wood Johnson's  cancer research benefit "We vs C" in Princeton, NJ.   For addition exhibitions, click below.