Drawing was my first expression. Because of my early and natural abilities in art, I spent a good portion of my early years decorating nuns' classrooms of the grammar school I attended in Chicago. One nun recommended my parents send me to the Junior School of The Art Institute. There, my eyes opened to the variety & impact of fine art. I studied art in an independent program at Wright Junior College, which I transferred to The School of the Art Institute's BFA program, but wasn't sure how to utilize fine art to support myself. In the 60's I designed direct mail for a major insurance firm in Chicago. Although I was the token female of the firm and industry, I garnered industry awards as well as a Chicago Graphics Award. Once a full time mom, I furthered my art education in watercolor, collage and fiber and paper sculpture.
In the early 80's after moving south of Boston, I underwent a series of carpel tunnel surgeries to relieve numbness & pain in my hands. The failed result was worse then the original symptoms and a severely diminished feeling & mobility in my right hand. I avoided situations where dexterity was required and expressed my creativity with cooking and decorating and a new career, helping small businesses increase their sales through effective advertising,
Now, retired, I still have the creative urge. I spend half the year in Lake Geneva, WI and half in Tucson, AZ. Both naturally beautiful areas inspire the organic forms, which are found in my work. Encaustic is a medium I can carve, inscribe, build up and color. Its flexibility is both earthy and otherworldly like both locations in which I live. It allows me to connect the geology: the erosions, water and plant life into a sculptural and collage based wax pieces. It is thrilling to again to be creating and exhibiting, to feel joy in my ability and the continuum of my life's consistent effort: art.
I’ve been involved with an exciting group of Tucson artists. We’ve been showing quite a bit around Tucson. We meet once a month to share techniques, critique each other’s work and generally talk art. I’m excited to learn of Fused Chicago and look forward to expanding my network.
Yvonne Prisble
No pains, no gains.......................................................
ReplyDeleteHad an interesting trip back from Tucson to WI. Went to Albuquerque & saw an encaustic show and some other good shows. Had coffee with Harriette Tsosie of EAI, her work is wonderful. She is the president of Encaustic Art Institute in Cerrillos. It's a unique organization with a wonderful facility.
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