About

People could say of me “Her habit of moving quickly keeps her ahead of old age and worry.” I paint like I move—really fast. I’m not afraid of mistakes and let it rip. When I fail I start over on the same unfinished canvas. I look for “happy accidents” when new layers interact with older layers. I love painterly paintings with thick paint, brushstrokes, and texture that create form but never look like reality. I want to convey my passion for spontaneity. My paintings usually depict landscapes and cityscapes that celebrate the heartbreaking beauty of nature, people, and old buildings. I often incorporate paper and cardboard to add depth or whimsy. Sometimes I paint from my own black and white photographs to recreate them in complementary colors—especially orange and blue, with no relationship to reality. Sometimes I leave my brain out of it by painting outdoors, letting the land and trees jump into my canvas without thinking.

I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina and majored in art at UNC-Chapel Hill during the Sixties when art professors considered abstraction as the only correct style. I left art and earned a Ph.D. in the history of art and architecture. For four decades I have taught and written about the art and architecture of North Carolina. In the late 1990s I took up my brushes and tubes of paint again. 

Professionally, I operate a historic preservation consulting firm, Longleaf Historic Resources. Longleaf Historic Resources brings forty-five years of experience in the documentation, evaluation, and accreditation of historic buildings and landscapes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Mississippi. Clients include owners of urban buildings and farms, non-profit organizations, and developers, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.

One focus of the firm’s attention is writing. I have published nine books on North Carolina architecture and decorative arts. My most recent book, Cameron Park, North Carolina: A Remote Retreat on Hillsboro Street, 1910-2010, was published in December 2014. To find out more information about Longleaf Historic Resources or order information for books please visit

http://www.longleafhistoricresources.com/ 

In 2011 I was a co-founder of a local art cooperative, Roundabout Art Collective. While the Roundabout is now closed, you can read about its legacy at http://www.roundaboutartcollective.com/