A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY LIFE
PRESENTLY: self-employed artist
Studio name is Cantatacarmel.
Born-- January in Washington DC. Grew up in Bethesda Maryland
Father was John M. Hightower, Foreign Correspondent for the Associated Press.
Mother was a remedial teacher for young children of the area.
Art Lessons at nine with Mrs. Doreen Penson from England.
Classical European introduction to art
1967, a pivotal year, met artist Jim Van Dyk, moved to New York
and through his teaching found my vision
1968-69 Lived at Drop City, a commune of artists, and writers living in domes, Trinidad Colorado.
1980--Graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder - MFA in Painting & Drawing.
LIBERIA, on the west coast of Africa
1985-90 Head of Art Department Cuttington University College, Bong County Gbarnga, Liberia, Left Liberia, due to outbreak of war in 1990
CHINA,
1990-1997- Teaching Contemporary Western Painting and English as Second Language, China, Shenyang and Chongqing
Lu Xun Academy of Fine Art, Shenyang, Artist in Residence
2000-2004- Teaching Contemporary Western Painting, in China
Return Stateside
2004-summer Returned to Colorado, USA
Adjunct Professor Art, Front Range Community College, Longmont Colorado
2007- Art Teacher – Charter school, Aurora Colorado.
2014- ARTIST, living and working in Gallup NM
J.Q. in Liberia, 1986 photo by Jesse Kallweit
J.Q. in Liberia, 1986 photo by Jesse Kallweit