I inherited my artistic talents from my mother whose favorite activity was painting pastel portraits of her ancestors. Drawing has always been something I liked to do since I was little.
Snoopy and horses were my early favorite subjects. One of my best Christmas presents was a set of
60 colored pencils! I loved to create and color in geometric designs with them.
|
| |
I grew up in Queens, New York. After High School, I went to a year of regular college, but I yearned to attend an art
school where all we learned was art related. No more history for me! I had to work a while to
be able to do this, but I finally enrolled at Pels School of Art in Manhattan, NY. I spent two years
learning commercial art, life drawing, different mediums and more. It was a great experience
and I felt that even if I never got a "real" job in art, it was still worth it.
|
| |
Later, I moved to North Carolina, found my sweet husband, had a son and worked at various jobs.
It was difficult to keep up with any art for a while, but ever since art school, I created my own
Christmas card every year and had them printed up. Every year it is a challenge to come up
with a new and creative idea, but I have managed so far! My cards are very unique and generally
non-traditional looking. However, the recipients love them and many say they look forward
to my special cards every year.
|
| |
In the 80's, I began to do calligraphy and created many signs, poems, etc. for people and even
did wedding envelopes. I became a member of the Kernersville Arts and Craft Guild and attended craft
shows.
|
| |
In late 1998, I looked at a nice pastel picture I had done in art school of a baby white tiger
and decided I could to better than that now. So I tried drawing some cats, and I was pleased with
the results so I continued. THe more I drew, the better they became and I found a great satisfaction
in bringing out the pet's personality. I even personalized the portraits with the pet's name in
calligraphy! Eventually, I began working with local animal rescue groups at their
fundraising events and donated a portion of my sales. I also set up at some local pet stores. I have drawn almost
700 pet portraits.
|
| |
In 2002, at a friend's request, I did a charcoal portrait of a 10 year old son that had died. They
were very pleased and so I embarked on a new venture of drawing faces of people in both charcoal and pencil. With
every one I draw, I improve my shading and techniques.
|
| |
I am the kind of artist that does not draw for myself, but others. When someone wants me to
do a special portrait, I am so glad to do so! I get great satisfaction when someone loves
my work and appreciates it!
|
| |
I know that my work will probably never hang in a museum, but I take more pride in the fact that
they already hang in hundreds of people's homes all over the United States, some in Canada and
one even in England! I hope that I can continue to draw for a very long time!
|
| |
Marcia Singer Byerly |
