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As an artist, educator, writer and passionate advocate for the power of visual culture, I\u2019ve dedicated the past several decades to making, teaching and writing about art<\/a>. More importantly, I\u2019ve helped others discover their own connection to creativity.<\/p>\n As a painter, I\u2019ve exhibited my work in galleries and museums across the country. I\u2019m also part of a public art design team with nine completed projects, including a recent temporary mural at Los Angeles International Airport. My academic journey spans over forty years of teaching art at the university level. I now hold the title of Professor Emerita at the University of Southern California\u2019s Roski School of Art and Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n My experiences aren\u2019t limited to studio practice and academia. I\u2019ve written extensively about art since the 1990s, contributing exhibition reviews, catalog essays, artist interviews and books. Art is not just my profession \u2014 it\u2019s the lens through which I live, think and connect with others.<\/p>\n The newest edition of \u201cExploring Art: A Global Thematic Approach\u201d,<\/a> available in early 2026, is now proudly in its sixth edition. It\u2019s designed to be a student\u2019s first step in their journey toward a viable and vibrant career path in art. Whether they aspire to be artists, designers, curators, architects, museum staff or digital creators, this title introduces them to the diverse fields that make up today\u2019s art and design landscape.<\/p>\n Skills developed through art education are applicable beyond the arts. Marketers rely on visual messaging. Scientists identify patterns. Dentists match colors and carve forms. Art touches everything \u2014 and that\u2019s a message I weave throughout the title.<\/p>\n While writing \u201cExploring Art,\u201d I focused on four key goals<\/strong>:<\/p>\n These priorities shape the title\u2019s structure, tone and scope. It\u2019s thematic, so it speaks to universal human concerns. It also encourages students to engage with the art around them, from street murals and fashion to architecture and internet culture.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re teaching with this title, you\u2019re not only providing students with a valuable knowledge set, but you\u2019re also equipping them with:<\/p>\n These capabilities foster soft skills<\/a>, such as critical thinking<\/a>, adaptability and pattern recognition. All are highly valued across industries.<\/p>\n \u201cExploring Art\u201d aims to enrich students\u2019 lives by inspiring meaningful reflection on the joys and challenges we all face. Whether they become artists or more art-aware citizens, they\u2019ll carry these insights with them.<\/p>\n Thanks for joining me on this creative journey. And welcome to a world of personal and professional artistic discovery.<\/p>\nA career rooted in creativity<\/strong><\/h2>\n
About Exploring Art, 6e<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Guiding principles of the textbook<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Skills and tools for the future<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Enriching lives through art<\/strong><\/h2>\n