Over a four-year period, I painted a collection consisting of 57 oil painting portraits of incredible, strong women. These are women who overcame hardships, broke records and blazed trails, shattering glass ceilings along the way. On view at the Chester County Art Association in West Chester, Pennsylvania through November 30, 2021. This show will make you feel inspired, confident and ready to make a difference in the world.
The highlight of my solo exhibition, for me, continues to be the four of 57 not widely known Inspirational Women. These giants make a difference in the lives of others without recognition or glory.
I love these wonderful women!
Introducing, from left to right:
PEGGY DAVIS, a Collegeville, Pennsylvania farmer, helps to ensure that those in need have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Peggy is passionate about giving back to her community. She has donated thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to promote food security. And, she isn’t stopping there. “Caring for others should come naturally. I help people because it feels right,” Peggy says.
Watch this video to see what happens when Peggy learns that her painting is included in the show. Her reaction is already one of my fondest memories.
LAUREN ZELLNER is a bioengineer (and, my amazing daughter) in Hershey, Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate and graduate student in engineering at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, Lauren mentored young women in the STEM fields. She urged each mentee to find her voice, to stand up for herself and to persevere even when the odds were against her. She continues to advise women to stand up for themselves and to stand up for others.
CARYL OBERMAN, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, an attorney since 1974, has always been motivated by a passion for justice and a belief in the transformative power of education. She has enabled thousands of children with disabilities to receive the quality education to which they are entitled. She knows in detail the challenges parents face in raising children with special needs. She listens. She honors them for facing those challenges every day. She shares her knowledge, empowering them to be powerful advocates on their own.
BETTY ANN WEBER HAYES, Orlando, Florida. It wouldn't be an Inspirational Women exhibition without a portrait of my sweet mom. Better known as a storyteller, my mom was a creator, published writer, composer and teacher. She wrote books for both adults and children, including four published children’s books that I illustrated. She was a magical person who led others to the magic in themselves. This show is dedicated to her. I miss her each and every day.
This portrait of my mother was included in the deYoung Museum in San Francisco's Pictures of People exhibition.
