I have been fascinated with and excited by art since I was a young child.  Having grown up in a very small town, the extent of my art training through high school was limited to “painting by the numbers.”  I decided to major in art at Meredith College in Raleigh and finished at Salem College in Winston-Salem with a liberal arts degree in art.  There, I experienced a taste of several media – ceramics, printmaking, drawing, but very little painting. 

For the next several years, my primary focus was on my family.  Four boys came along just five years apart with twins in the middle.  They totally occupied my time.   When the youngest child started school, I was thrust into the working world and operated a decorating and wallpaper retail business for fifteen years.  Aside from coordinating window treatments and wallpaper, my practice of art during my boys’ school years was limited to making posters for countless school projects. 

It wasn’t until years later when all my children had graduated from college that I found my way back to art.  My Mother who was living in Florida at the time began experiencing health problems.  She relocated to North Carolina to make it easier for me to assist in her care.  I pondered activities that we could do together which would not be taxing for her.  I enrolled us in a watercolor class at Central Piedmont Community College.  Neither of us had ever tried this medium before.  It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this form of expression.  We continued taking classes together for almost three years while her health permitted.  My primary mentor was Harris Holt, a well-known local artist, Harris Holt.  With Harris, I began to see colors and the effect of light and dark in compositions, which I feel are so important in my works today. 

Painting doors captivates me.  In my life, I have walked through a series of doors opening to rich and colorful opportunities.  Some of the most joyous times of my life have resulted from walking through a door: friends, travel, workshops, and continuing education. 

I play with light and warmth in my paintings in three mediums – watercolors, oils, and acrylics.  My motifs feature landscapes, buildings, streets, and, of course, doors from North Carolina, Mexico, Italy, France, and Ecuador.  I have a number of pieces featuring young children and adults.  My paintings portray the doors through which I have walked: the people and places that have touched my life.  To me, art tells the story, recalls the memory, or captures the mood.   

Art as a career began after painting a watercolor of “Renfrow Hardware,” a one hundred year old hardware store in Matthews, NC.  I painted the piece to celebrate the store’s 100^th anniversary.  I made prints of the painting, and the entire signed and numbered edition sold out in less than three months.  I followed with paintings of three more historical buildings in Matthews and launched my art career.   

Over the past seven years, my paintings have found homes locally, as well as the far corners of the United States and Europe.  I am a member of several art societies, both locally and state wide.  I have won awards in competitions that I have entered.  It is hard to believe that all of this has happened due to the care of my mother.  She is also amazed.  My Mother no longer paints due to her health but takes pride that she was such an influence in this blessing that came into my life. 

As well as having my art work in homes and corporations throughout the United States and Europe, my artwork was also featured on the book covers for The Eagle's Wings Trilogy by Catherine Ritch Guess.  And more recently, ©"CellaBrations!"  , a creator of greeting and note cards honored me by featuring my artwork on a selection of their cards.   My collection of cards now includes European scenes, animals, florals, whimsical, hearts and a large selection of scenes from Bald Head Island, NC.  All cards were created from original paintings.  Memberships include The North Carolina Watercolor Society, The Charlotte Art League, The Guild of Charlotte Artists, The Charlotte Artists Society and the Smith Island Art League

 I am represented by Woods Gallery at Bald Head Island, NC.  A sampling of my work can be viewed at www.pbweaverart.com.