Young's work, while abstract, consistently reflects her close ties to the real world. As past exhibitions have focused on trees, tide pools and ice floes, her new work in "Sun and Shadow" introduces us to her large new pieces depicting weather conditions and seasonal changes.

Young explains that her style, technique and intuitive approach are influenced by the  Washington Color School . With this approach, paint is poured onto a horizontal canvas (i.e., stain painting) which is then attached to a wall, where choices are made. Expanding on the Color School approach, Young paints around shapes or negative spaces to pull out the images she finds. "I may add lines or shapes as I deem appropriate," she says. The finished product relates to the natural world and offers an impression or feeling about the places she has experienced.

Young received her BA from Connecticut College for Women and her MFA from George Washington University where she was awarded first prize in painting for two years. Young taught at NOVA for 15 years and painted and taught in Italy , France , and Portugal . She was a fellow at VA Center for the Creative Arts and has work in many collections throughout the United States .