about the artist
artist's statement
At a young age, I was captivated with all things "art" and my mom signed me up for private art lessons throughout my grammar school years. My instructor was phenomenal, and she exposed me to many different mediums. It was during that time that I fell in love with drawing and oil painting. In the decades since, I’ve learned watercolors from a phenomenal artist (Claire Wiest), digital photography and digital arts. My mom and I took an "Introduction to Zentangles" class (and I was hooked). These experiences have contributed to who I am as an artist.
Some of my favorite subjects are animals and you will see them throughout my body of work; but I am also drawn to florals, abstracts and the occasional themed work (creating a series based on a particular theme; for example, musical instruments).
At its core, my artwork is Pen and Ink, and my creative process begins with a simple thought, an idea gathered from something that inspired me. I roughly sketch the idea on paper and slowly define it, adding fundamentals and key focal points. Using a fine liner pen, I create an outline and transform it by drawing patterns, shapes, lines, swirls, curves. I do love the simplicity of black and white for some of my pieces, nevertheless, there are instances where the addition watercolors play well the contrast of the black and white. Additionally, if the piece calls for it, I’ll add acrylic marker, metallics, maybe some gold leaf. I love combining different patterns (and mediums) and seeing how they evolve into new dynamic, rhythmic artworks. Because that is what life truly is… it is dynamic, it has a rhythm. It ebbs and flows. There’s black and white and color. Straight lines and curves. So, my work, in a nutshell, is my contribution to that rhythm.
biography
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Simone fell in love with art at a young age and began private art lessons that lasted through grammar school. During this time, she developed a love for drawing and painting. While attending college, a passion blossomed for the digital arts – graphic design and eventually digital photography. As you view her entire body of work, you will find that she sees all subject matter as beautiful and has a passion for capturing it in her own unique way – whether it is digitally created, painted, photographed or drawn.
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​​She has exhibited her photography in a variety of galleries, art websites and in publications. She was a regional finalist and nationally featured as a part of Bombay Sapphire's Artisan Series in 2011. In 2013, she took a break from exhibiting to focus on family. Her newest passion is pen and ink drawings full of patterns, lines and curves. She has recently started exhibiting these new works at art galleries and art websites. Simone is a wife and mom of two adult children (Jordyn and Jerry III) and currently resides in the Tampa Bay area with her husband Jerry. She is continually grateful for the support of her husband, kids and family, along with her friends and colleagues. For additional information, please visit her contact page on this website or email via the link below.