I am a self-taught painter and a retired middle school teacher, having served thirty-one years in public education.

Since my cancer recurrence, I began learning to paint in oil.

My work helps relieve some of the psychological and pervasive impacts of processing significant trauma: Stage 3 melanoma, cancer treatments that caused Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a subsequent cancer recurrence.

While making art will not cure physical ailments, the slow, deliberate process of making a mark serves as a central anchor, bringing me into the absolute present and enabling a deep mindfulness practice.

Exhibitions

2026 Art in the Woods, Chester County Art Association, West Chester, PA

2024 Members Exhibition, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2023 Members Exhibition, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2021 Outside the Lines: Comics & Illustrations, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Competitions

2026 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition Staff Pick

Current Memberships

Chester County Art Association

Oxford Arts Alliance

To connect with me, you could send a nice note to artbybjk [at] gmail [dot] com.