Memphis in the 60's was an enwrapped city of passion, transformation, growth and movements. Influences came from all directions ... civil rights, women's rights, hippies, streakers, geeks, gospel and rock 'n roll ... street riots, school desegregation, afternoon cold war drill sirens, curfews, friends, TV and more were the norm. The voice was powerful, the body expressive, and the mind persuasive.

As a child, my world concentrated not of these things, but of sitting in the front yard ... making necklaces from the flowers of clover and sharing stories of friendships that would never end ... surreal and safe under the warm wing of mother's protection. That place where all humanity is harmonically celebrated, and our diversities are separated only by spatial beats of hearts. Today the world remains unstable, hate and violence, fear and ignorance, influences hitting us from all directions ... and in the front yard, while knowledgeably safe yet familiarly surreal, are my own children ...

My life journals reflect my vigilant observations and experiences of what I appear to be a part of, yet detached from, world. The thrust of these writings are in the form of free- verse poetry, or letters (conversations) written to (or about) guardians that I believe have accompanied me through life, providing me protection, guidance, insight and strength. The harmonic origin of their existence, that desired place--depicting pure love, hope and the unconditional acceptance of our one humanity--is solely the thought provoking message I wish to convey through my paintings, and as a life artist.

Influences

My three wonderful children, who are the greatest event of my life.

Abstract Expressionism:
Surrealist- Joan Miro'
Abstract - Jackson Pollock
German Expressionist - Vasily Kandinsky
Abstract - Willem De Kooning
Sculptural - Henri Gauder-Brzeska
Architect - Frank Lloyd Wright
Early Roman Icon Paintings
All 3rd & 4th Century Ancient Greek / Classical Athens-- paintings,sculpture, pottery and Literature.
Classic, New Age & sometimes strange Jazz Artists / composers-- Talking Heads,Thelonious Monk, Keith Jarrett, Medeski Martin & Wood, Junko Onishi, Nina Simone, Hiromi, Yo Yo Ma and Morphine.

Formal Education (1982 - 1998)

Concentrated Studies include:
Studio and Fine Art
Advertising, Design and Marketing
Art History and Elementary/ Secondary Art Education
Psychology, Anthropology and Archeology
at:

Field Education (1998 - Present)

Exhibited in more than 100 Juried Fine Art Shows in over 9 states and is represented by Fine Art Galleries & Private Collections throughout the United States and Europe.

Selected Awards, Recognitions, Exhibitions and Experience

(2008)

"Festival of the Masters"
Glencoe, Illinois

"Festival of the Masters"
Joliet, Illinois

"Women Helping Women"-"Stitch by Stitch"
International WCA Collaboration Tapestry
Art Project with Rubia (Women of Afghanistan)
www.marycrowley.com/rubia

Featured Artist Show Presseller Gallery, Punta Gorda, Florida

Art For A Cure Benefit Art Show
The Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Tampa, Florida

"Hot Chicks" - Duo Show with Sandra de Nijs
Eberwein's Coffeehouse Art Gallery, Historic Sanford, FL

Boca Grande National Florida

WCA/CAA & United Nations Benefit Millennium Goals Exhibit
"Sustaining Our Environment - Postcard Art Auction"
Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX
www.wcaartwavesinternational.blogspot.com

Las Olas Fine Art Festival
Museum of Art / Ft. Lauderdale, FL

AISEC
University of Nairobi, Kenya Africa
2 paintings chosen as gifts to Host Family
of International Student: Sean Kolk

Matriarchs & Madonnas
WCA/FL SE Regional Juried Exhibit
Osceola Center for the Arts
Kissimmee, FL

(2007)

Commissioned
2 Paintings for Janice Barnes, Florida

Featured Artist
The Art Gallery, Jacksonville, Florida

The Art of Sacrifice
Group Show @ Altered Esthetics Gallery
Minneapolis, MN

WCA/FL + WCA/NCA
National Show "Strong Waves"
The Claudia Chapline Gallery
Stinson Beach, California

Florida Fantasy Juried Show
Arts on the Park Gallery, Lakeland, Florida

Member's Small Works Show
WCA/FL at Maitland Public Library, Orlando

NAWBO
National Association of Women Business Owners
Donated Art: "Wisdom & Compassion"
Lakeland, Florida

Art of a Woman V
at Jennifer's
Ft. Myers, Florida

Strength of Form
Ridge Art Gallery
Winter Haven, FLorida

Women's Caucus for Art Florida
Heart & Sole Fund-raiser Art Auction
Benefit The American Heart & Stoke Associations
Winter Park, Florida

85@85
miArte Gallery Square Foot Show
Coral Gables, Florida

(2006)

Old Hyde Park Village
Art Festival, Tampa, Florida

Square Foot Show
Lyssa Morgan Gallery
Tampa, Florida

SOLO Show
2006 & 2007
Opus 39 / Acquisitions Gallery
St. Augustine, Florida

2nd Place in 2D Work
Clearwater Fine Arts Festival

PAVA
Professional Association of Visual Artist
Cool Art Show
St. Petersburg, Florida

Polk Museum of Art
Mayfaire by the Lake
Lakeland, Florida

Lake Eustis Museum of Art Show
Florida

(2005)

"An Evening with the Artist"
Gallery Exhibit - Indigo Fine Art Gallery
Mt. Dora, Florida

"Metaphor"
Gallery Exhibit-Group Show
Agora Gallery, Chelsea-NYC

Art Harvest
Dunedin, Florida

Commission Painting
Bob Angle Anniversay

"Best Of Show"Award
Hernando County Fine Arts Council Art Show

"Divertimento"
Gallery Exhibit-Group Show
Amsterdam Whitney International
Fine Art Gallery, Chelsea-NYC

"Art of A Woman III"
Group Show at Jennifer's
Ft. Myers, Florida

Maitland Festival of the Arts
Florida

Historic Honey Horn Art Show
Hilton Head Island, SC

Commission Painting
Private Collection

(2004)

Alexandria Festival of the Arts
Alexandria, (Washington DC) Virginia

Virginia Highlands Summerfest with Art
Atlanta, Georgia

Package Design Illustrator
Southeast Media Group, Orlando
CTR Software Limited
www.ctrsoftware.com
Bahamas

Gold Coast Art Fair, Chicago, Illinois

(2003)

Best In Show / Directors Purchase Award for Painting: "Gypsy Heart"
Volusia County Fine Art Festival, Florida

Featured Artist in Group Show
Creative Native Gallery -- Irmo, South Carolina

Port Clinton Fine Art Show, Highland Park, Illinois

SOLO Show: Cummings Library, Palm City, Florida

ARTSQUEST @ Sandestin
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

(2002,2003,
2004,2007)

ART BETH-EL - Invitational
St. Petersburg, Florida

(2002)

Commissioned: Logo Image Gallery on Broadway
Ft. Myers, Florida

(5) Independent Commissions (paintings) for private collections

Award of Merit
Cantigny Sculpture and Fine Art Festival, Illinois

3rd Place, Fine Art
Woodstock Fine Art Fair, Illinois

Winter Park Autumn Art Show Florida

Ann Arbor National 2
Ann Arbor, MI

Paradise City Fine Art Show
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Commission Painting
Ken & Maria Galang, Florida

Art Fest Ft. Myers, Florida

Mount Dora Art Show Florida

Tarpon Springs Art ShowFlorida

Fine Arts Fiesta Wilkes Barre, PA

(2001, 2002,
2003, 2004)

St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, Kentucky

Award of Merit, Riverside Arts Festival
Jacksonville, Florida

(2001)

Award of Merit
Key Biscayne Fine Art Festival, Florida

Purchase Award
IMAGES 2001
New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Ponce Inlet Fine Art Show Florida

Downtown Chicago Tribune Art Show, Chicago

South Miami Art Festival Florida

(8) Independent commissions (paintings) to private collections

(2000)

(3) Independent commissions (paintings) to private collections

American Diabetes Association Celebrity Art Auction
Painting "Freedom" considered for United States Postage Stamp

Virginia Beach Boardwalk Fine Art Show, Virginia

Shady Side Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

Award of Merit
Lighthouse Gallery Center for the Arts Show, Florida

(1999)

Award of Merit
Art in the Park, Florida

Best In Show
Ponce Inlet Fine Art Show, Florida

Mussallems Galleries, Florida, Texas and Europe
(6) Paintings selected for private permanent collection
Jacksonville, Florida

Best in Category, Fine Art Painting
Boca Raton Art Fiesta, Florida

Best in Show
Deerfield Beach Art Festival, Florida

Best in Show
Venice Art Festival, Florida

(1998)

SOLO show
Pied Piper's Players Little Theater

Publication

2003 and 2004 Art Annuals
Amdur Productions
Lincolnshire, Illinois
www.amdurproductions.com

Organizations/Affiliations/Resources/Memberships

Member of PAVA
(Professional Association of Visual Artist)

Member of WCA
(Women's Caucus for Art)
www.wcafl.com

Central Florida Art Connection
www.florida4art.blogspot.com

World Wide Arts Resources
(Largest Gateway to Arts Information)
www.absolutearts.com

Member of NAIA
(National Association of Independent Artists)
www.naia-artists.org

Art Fair Source Book
Complete Guide to Fine Art Events Nationwide
www.artfairsource.com

ARTnews
www.artnewsonline.com

Howard Alan Events
www.artfestival.com

Sunshine Artist Magazine
www.sunshineartist.com

Dick Blick Art Supplies
www.dickblick.com