Artist CV
Gallery Representation
Art by Melody Noel Art Gallery, Edom, TX
O3 Collective Art Gallery, Edom, TX
Education & Training
Private Study & Mentorship – Nationally awarded artist Kay Smith, Big Spring, TX (2020–2022)
Watercolor & Acrylic Painting Studies – University of Washington Extension, Seattle, WA (2015–2016)
Master of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science – Washington State University, Spokane, WA (1991)
Bachelor of Arts in Speech – Washington State University, Pullman, WA (1990)
Group Exhibitions (Juried)
2026
Small Works Collection, Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art, Washington D.C. (July–Present)
2025
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX (January–Present)
Sour Patch Cats, Spring’s Gentle Giant, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (March–April)
Feeling Groovy (National Juried Exhibition), Gallery 130, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (February–March)
Winter Wings, Ice Guardian, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (January–February)
2024
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX
Crow’s Crunchy Catch, Eye of the Pond, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (November–December)
Feeling Groovy, King Hestor, Curly, Texas Rose Festival Art Show, Tyler, TX (October)
Flashy, Daisy, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (August–September)
Curly, Edom Art House and Gallery, Edom, TX (July)
Feeling Groovy Oscar, Fabulous Ferruginous, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (July)
Oscar, Venetian Fusilli, Tiffany Orzo, Fenchel Farfalle, Rose City Art Gallery, Tyler, TX (June–December)
Heron’s Ghost, Icy Cold Pillow, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (May)
Always Watching, Curly, Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (March)
2023
Bubbles and Books, Dallas Public Library, Dallas, TX
Winter Juried Show, West Texas Watercolor Society, Lubbock, TX
2022
Ole Tom, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts (LHUCA), Lubbock, TX
2021
Breakfast Bunny, Mystic Forest, 44th Annual Juried Art Show, Midland, TX
Waterfall, Moonlight Rabbit, Santa Fe Girl, Howard College Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Big Bloom, Daisy Girl, Howard County Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Spring Elephant, It’s Raining Frogs, Howard County Spring Art Show, Big Spring, TX
Publications (Author & Illustrator)
Love In Red Thread: The Bunny That Wasn't Brown. Published by Sami Cave Studio, 2025.
Intuitive Goddess Coloring Book: Hand drawn goddesses to color with inspirational affirmations. Independently Published, 2022.
Intuitive Mandalas Coloring Book and Journal, Independently Published, 2020.
Press & Media
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 60 (September 2025), Berlin, Germany.. Featured Artwork: Kintsugi Heart.
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 39 (September 2023), Berlin, Germany. Featured Artwork: Daydreaming of Peace.
Beyond Words – International Magazine of Literature and Art, Issue 38 (July–August 2023) Berlin, Germany. Featured Artwork: Santa Fe Girl.
Awards & Honors
Bronze Award, Jack Rabbit, Fins, Feathers & Fur Exhibition, J. Mane Gallery, Voorhees, NJ (2023)
1st Place (Watercolor), Breakfast Bunny, 44th Annual Juried Art Show, Midland, TX (2021)
1st Place (Oil), Waterfall, Howard College Juried Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
2nd Place (Mixed Media), Moonlight Rabbit, Howard College Juried Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
2nd Place (Mixed Media), Spring Elephant, Howard County Spring Art Show, Big Spring, TX (2021)
Reserve Grand Champion (Mixed Media), Big Bloom, Howard County Art Competition, Big Spring, TX (2021)
Collections
Commissioned Private Collections
The Peace, Memphis, TX (2026)
Grover, New Orleans, LA (2026)
Serenity, Milwaukee, WI (2025)
Climbing, San Antonio, TX (2025)
Miss B, Rockville, MD (2024)
Hammy, Albuquerque, NM (2023)
Private Collections
Mamma Bear, Memphis, TN (2024)
Grizzly, Spokane, WA (2023)
Professional Affiliations
Palette of Roses Art League, Tyler, TX (2023–Present)
West Texas Watercolor Society, Lubbock, TX (2022–2024)
Midland Arts Association, Midland, TX (2021–2023)
Big Spring Artists Association, Big Spring, TX – Served as Secretary (2020–2022)
Professional Experience
Visual Artist, Author, & Educator — Sami Cave Studio / Spiritual Discovery School with Sami LLC, Chandler, TX (2020–Present; Full-Time Studio Practice 2026–Present)
Studio Practice: Create and market original paintings in acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media with a focus on sacred, nature-inspired and whimsical themes. Maintain an active national exhibition schedule in juried group shows and commercial galleries.
Creative Publishing: Formally write, illustrate, and independently publish literature and art goods, including the children's book Love In Red Thread (2025) and Intuitive Goddess Coloring Book (2022).
Art Education & Business Operations: Manage all operational and financial structures of an active arts LLC. Teach the healing, meditative power of art through independent online workshops, community engagement, and digital media.
Healthcare Executive & Director — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General / Health Care System (1993–2026; Retired January 2026)
Executive Operations & Business Management: Directed national multi-disciplinary teams and oversaw large-scale programmatic operations, compliance, and performance metrics across complex environments. Managed a $2.9M contracting program and successfully launched a $2.7M outpatient facility.
High-Stakes Communications & Media Relations: Expert in top-tier stakeholder engagement, public speaking, and public relations, including delivering formal briefings to senior executives, congressional committees, and testifying before the U.S. Senate.
Strategic Project & Quality Management: Drove organizational change, process improvement, and rigorous data-driven quality assurance mechanisms to optimize service delivery and resource management.
Leadership & Advocacy: Appointed as national co-chair for clinical system redesigns and developed regional professional standards boards. Recipient of prestigious public service awards, including the federal Glenn/Roth Award (2022).