Address: River Forest, Illinois

E-mail: meier327@comcast.net

1998-2000 - The School of the Art Institute of Chicago/MAAE, K-12 Professional Certificate
1997-1998 - University of Illinois at Chicago/Painting/Art Education
1992-1996 - The School of the Art Institute of Chicago/Continuing Education
1989-1999 - Ox-Bow Summer Workshops, Saugatuck, Michigan
1977 - Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois/BFA, Visual Communication

The search for order and elegance within the chaos and frenetic reality of daily living is played out in my abstracted paintings and drawings. Patterned draperies and bed lines, fragments of monster-like toys, and menacing organic forms have evolved into intricate "gardens" of organic and geometric shapes, patterns and lines.

I am inspired by pattern, both naturally occurring and constructed. Works by 19th century artists, William Morris and Ernst Haeckel, manufactured patterns on domestic household items, patterns in nature, and historical cultural patterns, especially of Asian origin all provide inspiration and resource material for my work. Fragments of children's toys with their exaggerated forms and shapes often invade the layers of my compositions.

I am interested in the juxtaposition of elegance and menace; bone-like shapes may intertwine with sensual plant forms, incongruous shapes and colors integrate playful line work. My life is not simple and my artwork reflects the fact. My intent is to develop the work into a multi-layered world for the viewer to investigate.

2006
Wallflowers, Brickton Art Center, Park Ridge, IL
Monsters in my Garden, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL

1999
One Person Juried Show, Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago, IL

2007
Botanica, two person show, Gallery Botanica, Oak Park, IL
Chicago Art Open, group show, Iron Street Studios, Chicago, IL
A Feverish Progression, two person show, Beacon Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
Time Interpreted, group show, Brickton Art Center, Park Ridge, IL
24th Anniversary Show, Manhattan Arts Gallery, Award of Excellence on-line exhibition

2006
Her Mark, annual publication and exhibition, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Ink, printmaking group exhibition, Brickton Art Center, Park Ridge, IL
Pure Painting, group exhibition, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL; Juror: Gladys Nilsson
Opt-In, Revisioning America, Chicago Music Garage, Chicago, IL

2005
Self-Portraits, 33-Collective Gallery, Chicago, IL
Strictly Drawing, School of the Art Institute alumni 2-D exhibition, Bloomingdale, IL
Home is Where the Art is, O'Connor Art Gallery, Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Side by Side: ensuring art for the future, Open Door Gallery, Chicago, IL

2003
Maine South Artist/Ecucators Show, Brickton Art Center, Park Ridge, IL

2000-2006
Bare Walls Benefit Auction, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

2000-2002
Surface Deep Studio, Spring, Winter and Fall exhibits, Oak Park, IL

2000
Artistudenteacher, Thesis show of works by K-12 artists/educators, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006
Annual Members' Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL

1998
UIC Undergraduate Juried Show, Chicago, IL

1997
11th National Juried Show, Midwest Pastel Society, Schaumburg, IL

1996
Natioanal Juried Egg Tempera Show, Amos Joseph Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM

1995-2001
Two Person Show, River Forest Public Library, River Forest, IL

Ox-Bow, Saugatuck, Michigan/Professional Artist in Residence, Summer 2003
Manhattan Arts International/Award of Excellence
Midwest Pastel Society/Award of Merit
Printing Industries of America/PTA Award
Publicity Club of Chicago/Silver Trumpet Award
Society of Typographic Arts 100 Show
Artists Guild of Chicago Stationery Show

Chicago Artists Coalition, Chicago, IL
NAEA/National Art Education Association
Oak Park Area Arts Council, Oak Park, IL
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL