BIO
Born in Kentucky and raised in East Tennessee M.C. has been surrounded by animals and art throughout her life. She majored in art, with a concentration in painting, and holds AFA and BFA degrees from Sullins College and the University of Tennessee.
After graduating M.C. pursued fine art, entering juried competitions around the country. The subject matter that garnered the most interest was drawings and paintings of animals. Moving from Tennessee to the Charlotte, NC area after marrying in 1981, she continued to be active in shows and competitions until the birth of her son. After 1988 M.C. entered fewer art shows and spent more time doing commissioned works — mainly animals and people.
Her primary media is watercolor but she also works in mixed media, pen & ink, oil, and prismacolor.
Currently M.C. lives on a small acreage in York County, South Carolina, with her husband, dog, two cats, horse, mini-pony, and several Koi. There she has a studio in a remodeled shop behind the house…with a view of the back pasture.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Whenever I am asked to talk about my art, my gut feeling is to reply with the Henry Kaiser quote, “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” I would like to believe that the viewer will get something from seeing my artwork without any interruption from me!
My favorite approach to painting uses the subject matter, often animals, to explore abstract shapes (positive and negative) and color contrasts. My watercolor technique using high surface illustration or bristol board allows me to use transparent watercolor in a more canvas-painting way. Much of the paint can be removed since it sits on the surface rather than sinking into the paper. Staining pigments are laid down first, the more granular pigments can be lifted, and a rich, multilayered effect is achieved. When time is not an issue I enjoy working with oil paint on canvas or board using a similar approach…except with oil I can build up more paint strokes and use glazes for additional depth of color.
AWARDS & EXHIBITIONS (partial list)
national juried exhibitions
Harness Tracks of America Art Competition, Red Mile Track, Lexington, KY Harness Racing Art — 2003, 2000,1979, 1978, 1977
• 1977, 3rd Place
The Paint Spot Gallery — 2nd Annual Miniature Show,
Black Mountain, NC, 2000
Art Show at the Dog Show 1995, Wichita, KS
National Holstein Convention Art Competition, Nashville, TN, 1980
• Honorable Mention
International Miniature Show, Clearwater, FL, 1986, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978
• 1978, 1st Place Drawing
•1980, 2nd Place Birds and Animals
•1981, 2nd Place Semi-Abstract
Kentucky Watercolor Society 2nd Annual Juried Show,
Owensboro, KY, 1979
Montana International Miniature Show, Billings, MT, 1983, 1982, 1981
• 1981, 2nd Place Drawing
• 1982, two works selected for Traveling Show
National Miniature Show, La Luz, NM, 1981, 1980, 1979
• 1980, Collectors Choice Award
National Western Small Painting Show, NM, 1981, 1980, 1979
• 1979, 2nd Place Watercolor
• 1980, 1st Place Drawing
• 1981, Best of Show & 3rd Place Watercolor
Watercolor Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, 1979
regional juried exhibitions
South Carolina Watermedia Society 34th Annual Exhibition 2011
South Carolina Watermedia Society 33rd Annual Exhibition 2010
• 2010 cash award & acceptance in 2010-2011 traveling show
Harvest Festival of the Arts, Rock Hill, SC, 2000
Guild of Charlotte Artists Juried Shows, 1982-93
• Four honorable mentions
Charlotte Art League, 1982-91,
• One honorable mention
“Come See Me!” Festival, Museum of York County, SC, 1991
3rd Annual Charlotte Open, Spirit Square, Charlotte, NC, 1982
Arts Fest/Mayor’s Event for the Arts, Knoxville, TN, 1980
invitational shows
Dressage on the First Coast — Annual Equestrian Art Exhibit,
Jacksonville, FL, 2005
Earth Fare, Charlotte, NC, 2005
Barnes & Noble, Charlotte, NC, 1994 — one person show “Animals in Art”
Guild of Charlotte Artists, Charlotte, NC
First Union Bank Invitational, 1986
Republic Bank Invitational, 1985
Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville, TN, 1981
