Penny received her B.A. in Fine Arts (Drawing and Print Making) from the University of Louisville and has studied painting with Todd Lowery and Jacqueline Warren at Drury University. She travels frequently and uses photographs taken on her journeys as a starting point for many of her paintings.
As an observer of and a participant in the natural world, I cannot help but react with wonder, amusement, joy and curiosity to what I see and experience. These reactions compel me to paint from the heart, not with a historical or objective eye. As a result, my paintings become imagined settings, conveying feelings about a particular time and place or about the gifts of the earth. Unapologetically, I also react to places and objects through the lens of faith, a faith in a loving, actively involved creator. As expressed in one of my favorite Celtic poem/prayers, my faith calls me to treat all humans and all creation with respect and wonder. “The world is alive with your goodness, O God, it grows green from the ground and ripens into the roundness of fruit. Its taste and its touch enliven my body and stir my soul. Generously given profusely displayed your graces of goodness pour forth from the earth. As I have received so free me to give. As I have been granted so may I give.” Adapted from “Celtic Benediction” by J. Philip Newell. It is this respect and wonder that calls me to celebrate the timeless beauty and bounty and that is what I strive to express in my paintings.
Solo Shows:
January, 2013
“The Colors of Joy” – Good Girl Art Gallery - Springfield, Missouri [Sold “Friends”, “On the Fields of Barley” and “Hiking Encounter”]
December, 2015
"Summer Song" - Obelisk Home Gallery - Springfield, Missouri [Sold "Invitation"]
June, 2016 "Fleurages 2.0" - Tea Bar and Bites Cafe - Springfield, Missouri [Sold "Fantasy Field" and "The Dandies"]
September - December, 2016
"Joint Show" - Elliott, Robinson and Company - Springfield, MO
[Sold "CRM Roses", "Riotous Reds", "January Seed Catalog Blues" and "Lovely Lilacs"]
September 2017
“Autumn Bounty” - Harvest Restaurant - Rogersville, Missouri
Community Arts Work:
2010-2013 and 2013-2016 Board Member, Springfield Regional Arts Council
2012 Participant in first “Yarn Bombing” event in Springfield, Missouri in conjunction with the 2012 First Night Celebration.
2013 Judge for the 23rd ArtsFest in Downtown Springfield, Missouri
2010- 2014 Committee member for the First Night event
2013 Juried artist in the first “Giving Meter” program sponsored by the City of Springfield, Downtown Springfield, the Community Improvement District and the Urban District Alliance
2016 Judge for the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) annual regional show in Mt. Vernon, MO
2018 Judge for the "Arts Rolla 31st Annual Judged Art Exhibition in Rolla, MO
In the Press:
Feature piece “Artist’s first solo show celebrates nature’s beauty” in the Springfield, Missouri News-Leader Weekend Section, January 17, 2013
Feature article in The Connection, in-house publication of City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri
Feature piece “Perspective: Three Artists” at airport’s Sky Gallery” in the Springfield, Missouri News-Leader Weekend Section, February 27, 2014
Education:
Spring 1984
B.A. in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Fall 2006 – Spring 2011
Studied under Todd Lowery and Jackie Warren – Drury University
November 2013
“Painting with Authority” workshop at the John C. Campbell Folk School with artist Nan Cunningham
June 2014
“The Seven Design Motifs” workshop at the Mary C. O’Keefe Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi with Nan Cunningham and Kris Byrd
August 2015
“Guerrilla Warfare Painting” workshop at the John C. Campbell Folk School with artist Robin Popp
September 2016
Studied Abstract Art under Moe Brooker at the Alabama Arts Colony in Alexander City, Alabama
October 2017
Independent Study with Patt Odom at the Alabama Arts Colony in Alexander City, Alabama
Additional:
August 2017
Joined "FRESH GALLERY", a cooperative, juried gallery sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council; Served as Financial Coordinator
Featured, along with Springfield artist, Alicia Farris on the Choice Hotels' website's "Illustrated Guide to Springfield, MO"
https://www.choicehotels.com/missouri/springfield/illustrated-guide-to-…
