About Me
Artist/Writer
I've been an artist in Kankakee County Illinois (not far from Chicago), for the past 11 years. I enjoy showing my work at festivals, gallery exhibitions, and other events in the region. I lead workshops in informal settings and have a penchant for painting en plein air. I started showing my art in 2007 while living in Atlanta Georgia. I grew up in Illinois and studied Philosophy at Western Illinois University.
I've also quietly been a writer, penning speculative stories infused with literary overtones. My first book was published in 2019 and includes a Pushcart Prize-nominated poem. Adding the "/Writer" to my Artist title has been invigorating to my creative muses! I am continuously working on new written and visual works. ... Follow my journey on Instagram or Facebook.
exhibits and events
Upcoming Events
- July 24th - Galesburg, IL Standish Arts & Crafts Market at The Great Balloon Race
- July 31st - Kankakee, IL Merchant Street Music Festival
- Aug 20/21st - Davenport, IA Crafty Cat Art Fest
- Sept 25 - Chicago, IL The Pancakes & Booze Art Show
Past Exhibits and Events
- March-May, 2021
"Very Well, Thank You": The Arts as a Means to Well Being
Northern Illinois University's Art Museum
Juried Group Art Exhibit
- April 2021
Served as one of three art judges for "Brave, Bold, and Believed," a group art show to promote healing presented by Clove Alliance at the Majestic in Kankakee, IL
- "Vernal Equinox: Spring Awakens" March 2019
Juried Group Art Exhibition at Plum Creek Nature Center, Beecher IL
- Curator for "Art 4 Heart : The Journey to a Healthy Heart Through the Artist's Eye", an annual juried art exhibit for high school artists by Riverside Medical Center. This is an on-going, annual exhibit that takes place at the end of each Feburary from 2012-2021.
- Live Painting at Riverside Medical Center 2/13/2020 and 2/14/2019
- Anniversary Exhibit, April 2018 and 2017
FEED Arts and Cultural Center, Kankakee IL
- "Tell Me About the Sea {Self Portrait with Dream Animals}" original painting
published in Feb. 2017 issue of Art Ascent magazine
- Art, Music, and Dreams in the Canyon. Instructed art workshops, Sept. 2016
Wellness Retreat in Unionville, Nevada
- Art Classes & Art Camps instructed through the Bourbonnais Township Park District
(summers of 2016 & 2017 )
- Instructed art classes for Kankakee Community College's Girl's STEAM program
(summer of 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Verse & Vision, June 2015
Group Exhibition
FEED - Kankakee IL (now-closed)
- Wolves, Feathers & Syncroncities: Artwork by Christina Loraine & Brittany Vance
Sept 2014
FEED - Kankakee IL
- SELF . July 2014
Juried Group Art Exhibition, the Gretchen Charlton Gallery, Kankakee IL
awarded a blue ribbon for "Tell Me About the Sea {Self Portrait with Dream Animals}"
- State of the Art . June 2014
Group Exhibit of 10 artists
John Barleycorn - River North, Chicago IL
- Emerging Artists Exhibit . Feb 2014
Morpho Gallery
Chicago, IL
- Juried Fall Art Exhibit, Group Show. Sept 2013
Honorable Mention award for "King of Clubs"
Gretchen Charlton Art Gallery, Kankakee, IL
- Judges Award. Sept 2013
Art in the Park in Galesburg, IL
- "Dreams within Me" National Art Competition. July 2013
1st place for "Air in the Time of Marcus Aurelius"
Gulf Coast Art
- Phoenix Rising Chicago presents: Gynaeceum. June 2013
Group show of visual and performance art
The Double Door, Chicago, IL
- Live Painting Competition . April 2013
2nd place
Uncubed River East Arts Center. Chicago, IL
- Emerging Artists Exhibit . Feb 2013
Morpho Gallery
Chicago, IL
- Self Portrait Exhibit. Feb 2013
Studio 659
Whiting, IN
- Expansion: A Pop-Up Gallery. Oct-Nov 2012
Lacuna Artist Lofts
Chicago, IL
- Flying House 8.25.2012
"Letters into the Void" installation
Maes Studio, Chicago, IL
- Abstracts of Love, Group Show 2.2010 - 3.2010
Jack Art Gallery
Atlanta, GA
- Off the Wall, Group Art Show 10.23.09
Defoor Centre Gallery
Atlanta, GA
- The Rites of Spring: Four Artists- Four Mediums 3.19.09 - 4.30.09
Defoor Centre Gallery
Atlanta, GA
- Off the Wall, Group Art Show 11.15.08
Defoor Centre Gallery
Atlanta, GA
- Group Art Show 10.4.2008
Neighborhood Gallery Arts Center, Atlanta, GA
exhibited a collection of 15 paintings
- Employee's Picks Group Show 6.14.2008
MINT Gallery, Atlanta GA
- It's only Rock 'n Roll Group Art Show 1.26.2008
curated by Christina Loraine at MINT Gallery, Atlanta GA
- Off the Wall Group Show 11.17.2007
Defoor Centre Gallery, Atlanta GA
- Haunted Art Show 10.26.2007
dooGallery, Atlanta GA
- MIXT Group Art Show 8.25.2007
MINT Gallery, Atlanta GA
- Group Art Show 8.18.2007
dooGallery, Atlanta GA
- Tiki Tiki Tiki Group Art Show 8.11.2007
dooGallery, Atlanta GA
- Go Skate Deck Group Art Show 6.23.2007
dooGallery, Atlanta G