Artist Statement Artist Bio

 

 

Bring the sensation of relaxing in the beauty of nature into your home!

My art work invites you to take a break from your busy life and remember the little things that are important, and the beauty around you. Experience the lush colors, organic shapes and earthy textures of the natural world and dwell in pleasant memories all while relaxing at home.

My paintings come from my deep love and sense of connection with nature. They are inspired by the lush colors and the vibrant energy of the natural world. Many are reflective of the gorgeous Hudson Valley Region where I live. I am always on the lookout for something striking in nature and carry a sketchbook and/or camera on my many outdoor excursions, ready to capture fleeting moments of beauty. I strive to recreate in my paintings the joyful sensation of being outdoors, walking by the river or along a wooded trail. My art is about the vividness of color, the energy of living things and what happens when you slow down long enough to truly see and appreciate it.

"I love Mira's art because it magically captures a quiet and beautiful moment of time in nature. When I spend time taking in one of her paintings, it's almost like a form of meditation... nourishing me on many levels... reconnecting me to my place in the web of life." Lori G. (gallery visitor)

I specialize in creating richly colored watercolor landscapes, as well as collages, oil and acrylic paintings which capture the beauty of the Hudson Valley. I paint outdoors or work from sketches and photos in my studio in Kingston, NY. You can commission me to paint a favorite view, a beloved home, or a place you want to remember. Click here to see my commission page which gives a few examples of paintings people have special ordered as gifts for themselves or for someone special in their lives.

There have been numerous solo exhibitions of my paintings and I have been selected to participate in countless juried exhibitions. I have many collectors of my work in the Hudson Valley and my art is in private collections all over the country. Click here to see more.

When you bring one of my paintings into your home, my hope is that it will bring you joy and a sense of connection to the natural world just as it did for me when I created it.

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Biography

My parents wanted me to be a scientist, not an artist. So I went to college and got a BS degree in Environmental and Forest Biology. I loved learning about nature and even enjoyed memorizing a lot of Latin names for flora and fauna. But mostly, I just loved being outdoors. I had been drawing and painting flowers and trees since I was a little girl and so it was only natural that I kept painting. No matter what other jobs I took, I just kept making art on the side.

I started my serious study of watercolor and oils after receiving several scholarships to study at the Woodstock School of Art. This is where I fell in love with watercolors. In 1988 I was accepted into the Jane Burr House for artists in Woodstock, N.Y. That same year one of my paintings was selected for a juried exhibition with the Hudson River Watercolor Society. My work has been exhibited in solo and juried shows locally and regionally ever since. I continued at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies studying botanical illustration. Then later earned a BFA in painting and a MS in Education from SUNY New Paltz and became a certified art teacher.

Yes, details like paying the rent came first, so I became a teacher. I worked full time teaching and had very little time to paint. I missed making my own art and always felt torn in different directions. Gradually I came to discover that full time teaching in public schools was not for me.

I now work as both a professional artist and a part time teacher. I am represented by The Mohonk Mountain House Gift Shop and Maglyn’s Dream (both in New Paltz, NY) and on line by Fine Art America www.fineartamerica.com Click on Exhibits to see the latest shows.

Currently, I teach art classes for both adults and children, at my studio in Kingston, NY, at the Red Hook Community Center (Red Hook, NY), at several local Senior residences, at libraries and in the great outdoors.

I teach art classes to adults and children who really wanted to learn. I love sharing what I know with others and encouraging people to express themselves creatively. I also lead environmental education programs to keep people tuned in to protecting the natural world. Visit the Classes page to see where I am teaching.

Artist Statement Artist Bio