Mandy began her study of art in 2002 under the guidance of Chris DiDomizio who teaches oil painting in Atlanta, GA.   After moving to North Carolina in 2004 and discovering the Fine Arts League of the Carolinas, a full-time atelier-styled art school devoted to classical realism, she enrolled in the 2005 spring quarter.  This began her serious study of art.  

During her five years at the Fine Arts League she studied with John Mac Kah, Ben Long, Roger Nelson, Mark Henry, Julyan Davis, and Casey Sealy. Her focus was figure, landscape and still life.  She continues to study still life and landscape with John Mac Kah.  

The artists who have most influenced her are Chardin, Sargent, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci.  Her preferred medium is oil although she also enjoys drawing using charcoal, pencil, or walnut ink.  

The study of the Christian mystics, Carl Jung, Georgia O’Keefe and contemporary theologians enriches her work.  Seeking to paint the ordinary things of life in a way that captures their sacredness and believing that God is present in all things, she considers herself a “co-creator” of the beauty that she experiences as she paints “en plein aire”. 

Addressing issues of social justice through her art, Mandy has completed a series of portrait drawings of the poor and homeless.   She believes that art can heal relationships and works actively on art projects having to do with Racial Justice.