Colleen Baxter

Artist Statement

My first drawing that I remember was of my Father's coffee cup. As a child, something inspired me to pick up a pencil and paper to begin drawing what I see. There was no money for art supplies so I used what was available and free. When I began using oil paints, my dad who did woodworking would cut up small pieces of masonite for me to paint on. My middle school art teacher would give me her almost used up oil paint tubes to use. Through the years, I never exhibited my work and many did not know that I painted until recently when I began showing my art on Facebook and exhibiting in public venues. My art is being recognized and since the first of this year several of the mixed media pieces from my Whimsical Blooms and Swamp Reflections series have won awards with the most recent being a Peoples' Choice Best of Show in September.

Biography

I began drawing as a child and always carried a pencil and pad with me to draw what I saw. I received a watercolor paint set early on then was introduced to oils in middle school. Upon retiring from my first career, about 5 years ago, I began studying acrylics under the guidance of a local artist and most recently have ventured into mixed media using such materials and textures as Japanese rice paper, silicone caulking, fiber paste, crackle paste, bead gel and fluid acrylic paint. I am primarily self taught since art school was not an option. I am enjoying a second career as a full time artist and regularly exhibit in various galleries and venues throughout the St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater area. I have paintings in private collections in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Connecticut, Florida, France and Italy. I am currently affiliated with Studio 1212 Art Gallery and Creative Artists Guild in Dunedin, Florida and serve on the Safety Harbor Public Art Commission.

Exhibition History (CV)