I took a long break from my 30+ year healthcare career—essentially all I had ever known—to stretch my creative wings and explore new artistic styles. My work is known for its rich textures, vibrant colors, and bold contrasts, incorporating spontaneous mark-making and a diverse mix of mediums, including India ink, acrylic paint, and oil pastels.
The name Danksy was a nickname given to me by co-workers, and I’ve embraced it as part of my artistic identity. I create with a sense of childlike abandon, refusing to conform to rigid expectations, and instead, allowing inspiration and dreams to guide my work.
While I am not formally trained, art has been an intrinsic part of my life since I was first able to put my fingers to a surface. My creative interests span photography, painting (in all mediums), graphic art, sculpture, ink and pencil drawing, and ceramics. The loss of my mother in late 2014 became a turning point, pushing me to devote more time to my art—ultimately leading me to embrace it as a full-time pursuit.
Born on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea to an English teacher and a British-born commercial artist, I was surrounded by creativity from an early age. When I’m not in the studio, I love to travel—whether within the U.S. or across the globe—and I have a deep passion for live music, often journeying to see my favorite artists perform.
Currently, I reside in Wichita, Kansas, where I continue to explore, experiment, and push the boundaries of my creative expression.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My sometimes sardonic creations are meant to resonate with the human condition of grief, joy and life. I was born into a family lineage of devoted teachers, most notably my Mom, whose broad-minded approach to education and learning embraced equality and service.
As a self-taught visual artist I can be found creating a joyful mess while learning a new medium. Despite not holding a Fine Arts degree, recently I have pursued intensive and organized art and design knowledge. As I obtain valuable information about the inner worksings of the art world, I choose to share it as often as I am able.
I hold a personal goal of creating poignant, sometimes piercing, visual art which benefits me in a positive manner, specifically with my mental health. If I am able to offer the viewer an escape from their troubles by slipping into my artwork, then I have accomplsihed one of my primary goals.