“Painting is my passion. I work with pastels, oils and watercolors. I am a classically trained artist who loves the immediacy of the impressionist approach. Whereas my early work was realistic, I combine my loves and now consider myself a representational impressionist. I love the science of light and color and how our eyes and brain work to blend the colors in my paintings. I had an epiphany when I was visiting Paris years ago and saw Degas’ work at the Orsay Museum. Layers and layers of pastels blended together to give such life and depth to his figures! This is how I create with my pastels.”
“When I use oils, I mix most of my own colors from the three primaries and allow layers on the canvas to create variations. When you look closely, you can see nuances of color that aren’t immediately apparent. I love that. It’s exciting. Unfortunately, you can’t really see that in the photos on my website, so check one of my galleries or come by my studio to see my work in person.
Vicki’s work has been accepted in, and won numerous awards in, juried shows both locally and nationally over the last two decades. She has been published in “The Pastel Journal”, invited to show at the prestigious Newington-Cropsy Gallery in New York, and one of her landscapes was chosen for the permanent collection of the State of Hawai’i. Her work is in public and private collections from Japan to New York.
“My newest love is creating 3D porcelain vessels, using glazes and china paint to create works of art on this new surface. Porcelain is very different than other clay bodies, and I use a special technique to coax fabulous forms from this very challenging medium. Because it is so soft when it’s wet, it has a lot to say about what it is willing to be!!! After it’s fired, it becomes a canvas for my love of color.”
Shows, Awards and Recognition
Recent group and one-man shows in Hawaii, Denver, Colorado, New Orleans, Portland, Oregon. She is the Artist in Residence at the Faimont Orchid Resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii.
Best in Show and Honorable Mention, St. Louis Art Guild. Of her artwork, juror Harley Brown said,” This artist has a keen eye and renders the nuances of light with great skill.
The Pastel Journal. Third Place, Wildlife Division, International Competition
The prestigious Newington-Cropsey Foundation of New York, home of the Hudson River Valley Artists, selected two of her original pastels for an invitational exhibit and one was purchased by the curator.
State of Hawaii Purchase Award, “Upcountry Fence Line, “ for the Permanent Collection, “Art In Public Places.”
2007 to Present, Kilauea Military Camp, Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park has selected Vicki to place over one hundred of her prints throughout their visitors cabins, and her originals hang in the lobby.
Organizations and Service
For many years, Vicki owned her own art gallery and interior decorating business. Vicki volunteers her time as a businesswoman and artist in her community’s non-profit organizations, schools and arts organizations and loves to teach art at her home studios and elsewhere.
Volcano Art Center, Board of Directors
Oil Painters of America
Past Chairman, East Hawaii Cultural Council, Hilo, Hawaii
Founder, Pacific International Pastel Society, Hawaii
Degas Pastel Society, Louisiana
Hawaii Pastel Society, Honolulu
Colorado Pastel Society, Denver
American Impressionist Society
American Women Artists