Why I do what I do:

     I am a native and lifelong resident of Northwestern North Carolina.  My love for the country way of life, my family roots, and the rural landscape has kept me here.  I am also a watercolor artist.  While pet portraits are my specialty, and mostly commissioned, I really enjoy painting the rural lifestyle and landscape.  Today’s, “progress”, urban and commercial development, and a new generation has led to the disappearance of old barns, houses, and living off the land.  Even most of the old farmers have now passed on, leaving behind their buildings, tools, farmland, and a way of life that no one today seems to be interested in continuing.  The buildings and land are taken for roads, condos, and commercial use. Tools and farm machinery are mostly found in antique shops, and there are very few farmers left that can tell you about the hard, but rewarding life of the “good ol’ days”.  Even finding a dirt road today is “pert-near” impossible.
     I enjoy taking a slow drive in the country, constantly looking for subjects to paint, so don’t follow too closely behind my car, because I just may stop at any moment to take a photo of something!  Writers tell stories with their pen (or computers, these days), others orally share their stories, but I like to tell stories through my paintings of these nearly extinct rural subjects and memories.  By sharing my paintings with the public, I feel like I’m doing my part to keep a portion of our rural heritage alive.  It is my hope that the viewer, in looking at my work, can temporarily leave today’s fast paced, stressed out world with all it’s problems, and take a trip back in time to a much simpler and happier way of life. 
     Times were tough back then, but the people were also tough, self-sufficient, and happy.  They worked hard, took time to play and relax, gave time to God, made what they didn’t have, sealed business deals with only a handshake, and neighbors helped neighbors through hard times and sickness, or by sharing their garden’s bounty.  You won’t find these things today, except “way back in the hollers and hills” (or in a painting)!

My Biography:

     I was raised on a small family farm in rural Watauga County, North Carolina, and within spittin' distance of Ashe County (literally).  Growing up on a farm with daily chores, hard work, and many animals taught me to appreciate the “country way of life”.  Life was hard (or so I thought at the time);  but now that I’m grown and live much closer to town, I really miss those days where after a hard day in the “baccer” patch, I could sit on the porch, look at the stars, listen to the crickets, and never hear a car or see a street light.
     I have always loved art, and began drawing on the backs of envelopes and every scrap of paper I could find ever since I was big enough to hold a pencil.  I graduated from Watauga High School in 1980,  but entered the workforce instead of attending college right away.  I didn't have my 1st "official" art class until college.  In 1987 I went back to school  (locally) at Appalachian State University.  In 1991 I graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Art Education  and K-12 teacher certification.  I took a night course in basic watercolor painting at the local community college with instructor, Beverly Rose Donadio in the early 80's and fell in love with watercolor.  Since then, I have taken that basic knowledge and have taught myself to paint the subjects, and  in the style  which I now paint.
     I am currently the Workshop Coordinator at Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff (a worldwide known art supply company).  I have been with Cheap Joe's since 2001.  Working in such a wonderful and inspiring place for artists, I began painting pet portraits and other commissions in my spare time.  I enjoy painting the things I love: animals, rural America, and memories of the simpler times in life.  Many friends have asked me about painting "people", and so I am currently teaching myself to paint portraits.  My first was a disaster, starting over from scratch 6 times.  I learned something, however, each time I goofed, so I use my mistakes as learning tools.  I also watch other portrait artists' demonstrations, (a fringe benefit of my job), and along with their advice and encouragement, and continued practicing, I'm slowly getting more confident on painting people.  One of my favorite portrait artists and friends is Suzanna Winton.  Her style, techniques, personality, friendship, and encouragement have been a big influence on me not giving up. 

     I thank God every day for my talent and begin each painting with a prayer, asking him to work through me and guide my hands.  Without him, I would not be able to even "draw a stick figure".  I also thank him for all his beautiful creations and endless supply of subjects of which to paint.

Edwina May