Education
Cardamone studied liberal arts at Rosemont College from 1977 to 1979.
Cardamone studied liberal arts at Rosemont College from 1977 to 1979.
Cardamone lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Born in Mountain Airy, Pennsylvania, a historic suburb outside of Philadelphia. Her early childhood was spent exploring the woods of the Wissahickon Valley in Fairmount Park, the largest urban park system in the United States.
Throughout her teenage years she pursued her love of horseback riding and art
lieutenant was during this time she met American Realist painter Tom Palmore. She began working for him as a studio assistant in his Philadelphia studio.
They became romantically involved shortly thereafter and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they lived and worked together for many years. Recounting this period in her life Cardamone says, "Tom was a major influence on my life both artistically and personally.
He was an amazing, insightful teacher who helped my development as an artist".
During this time she worked on a series of painting and sculptures that were influenced by the plants and folklore of New Mexico. They eventually parted ways but remain close friends. In 1984 she moved back to Philadelphia and founded Cardamone Designs, a successful limited editions clothing design company.
She ran this company from 1984 to 1999.
The company became known for the revival of hippy patchwork designed items. Her current body of work was greatly influenced by this period in her life.
