I love bringing unseen ideas to life—where a few paint strokes become light, depth, and the illusion of a jewel before my eyes.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I became a painter at 61 and fell hard—it’s like finding a new lover I rush back to every day. After 38 years creating large-scale architectural art glass, I now paint my “Sparkles” series: bold rhinestone jewelry on matte black, gleaming as if it could be worn. I take something loved and cherished, often tucked away, and bring it into the open—scaled up, irresistible, and a bit over the top, painting light and reflection in a way that draws you in for a closer look.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration comes from a lifelong love of vintage—especially the costume jewelry I’ve collected since the 1970s. I’ve always been drawn to tiny treasures that carry memory and history. With roots in costume making and stage design, I’m drawn to sparkle and presence. In my “Sparkles” series, I scale these treasures into bold, luminous paintings that celebrate nostalgia, glamour, and the allure of adornment.
What would you do with $25,000?I would use it to finish creating a dedicated studio and gallery space in my home, allowing me to fully commit to painting. It would give me the time and stability to expand my “Sparkles” series—pushing the work to a new level while continuing to build a life centered on painting and sharing it with others.
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