Bogamia

Originally, from Queens, New York, I dreamed of becoming an artist as a little girl. I would spend hours drawing my favorite characters from the books that I read. With the encouragement of my mom, I began to pursue my career in art when accepted into New York's Fiorello La Guardia high school of art and performing arts. It was here that I decided to become an illustrator. Yet, when I graduated, I decided to take a detour and study music at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY. This journey into music would influence my work later on. After Five Towns, I received my BFA from FIT (The Fashion Institute of Technology) where I began to develop a technique influenced by children’s book art influenced by artists Alice and Martin Provensen, Leo and Diane Dillion and Howard Pyle.

Shortly after graduating from FIT, I began my illustration career when I moved to Miami, FL. I have had the opportunity to create illustrations for over one hundred book companies and magazines in many genres including newWitch, Aurealis Australian Science Fiction, Whistling Shade Literary Journal and Plank Road Publishing, a music education company for children.

While working as an illustrator, I was inspired to begin painting a series called “Der Unbekannte Musiker” (The Unknown Musician), which explored music personalities and anonymity using a detailed shadow and form technique juxtaposed with a whimsical children's book feel. This series was exhibited in a solo art show at the ArtCenter/ South Florida in Miami Beach as well as featured in City Link, The Lead and the Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market.

Currently I am working on creating several new series with a focus on children's artwork and returning to one of my favorite mediums, pen and ink. 

Freelance Illustrator 1998-Present

Illustrator for trade magazines and book companies worldwide. Some clients include: Plank Road Publishing, Wee Ones, Paradox, Aurealis, Australian Science Fiction, Whistling Shade Literary Journal, newWitch, and Space and Time.

Education Department Assistant and Art Instructor 2008-Present

Art/Center South Florida, Miami Beach

Art Teacher 2006-2008

Miami-Dade Public Schools, William H. Turner Technical Arts High School, North Miami

Graphic Designer 2002-2006

The Miami Laker Newspaper, Miami Lakes, FL:

Education

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), NYC

Artist Statement

My journey as an artist began when I was a little girl, drawing my favorite characters from books like Phantom of the Opera, Great Expectations and Wuthering Heights. The characters from these stories are eternal and symbolize struggles of the human spirit. It is in search of these spirits that motivate me to create my art.

I began my career as an artist through illustration, focusing on developing my own unique style inspired by children’s book art. I create an expressive and whimsical appearance by juxtaposing a classical photorealistic technique through drawing or painting. I am currently working on several series in various themes that explore music, folklore, legend and portraiture.

The series that I am working concurrently on are: Der Unbekannte Musiker (The Unknown Musician)- is a series that explores the many ways that music and art inspire our popular culture through the eyes of the common everyday person. The series consists of stylized whimsical portraits of well-known musicians who are the inspiration for the “unknown” musicians. The paintings explore the personalities, folklore and legends behind the music as well as enhance the mysteries of how and why they endure. I wish to explore the following questions, “Why create?” “How are we connected?” and “Will we be remembered?”

Monster Mash- is a whimsical and humorous series that was inspired by childhood memories of watching horror movies with my dad on Saturday afternoons. Creatures like Dracula, Frankenstein and Wolf man became welcome friends. Also featured are horror character personalities like Vincent Price, Dwight Fry and Edgar Allan Poe in a grouping of ten pen and ink drawings that emulate classic horror movie posters.