After retiring from the English Department of Kutztown University in 2001, I returned to my life-long interest in painting. Although I had dabbled in art for many years and studied briefly first at the Delaware Museum of Art, and later at the Baum School in Allentown, my career path led to the teaching of literature and composition. I, nevertheless, believe that my observational and critical skills honed in these areas have helped my painting processes. Painting like rhetoric and literature is essentially about communication. The communicative arts ask all of us to look closely, to feel intensely, to listen carefully and thus to experience the diversity of everyday life.
I work in a variety of mixed water media and pastels. Under the guidance of local artist Joann Lapic, I have come to understand that design and light must be used effectively to create an interesting painting. I often choose my own palette of colors to express my emotional involvement with a subject. In addition to the charming Kutztown area, many of my landscapes come from edited photos of my travels here and abroad. My Still Lifes more often than not emerge from found objects around the house. The arts of music and ballet inspire my figure paintings.
In my other life, I am active on the Women’s Studies Board of Kutztown University and participate in community-based projects from time to time. I am also a member of “Art in the Afternoon” and Berks Art Alliance. Music, moreover, is a big part of my life. I am a “wanna-be” violinist and wife of retired music professor and poet Charles Scanzello. Finally, I must admit that I cherish most the days and hours spent with my twin granddaughters Sadie and Mattie and my grandson Charlie.
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