Retirement for Iris did not mean that she would discontinue her pursuit of something new and exciting. After two careers – teaching mathematics and creating a successful financial planning firm — and earning three degrees – BS in Mathematics Education, MS in Mathematics, PhD in Mathematics Education and many postgraduate courses in finance and business, she was not about to retire to a rocking chair.
Fortunately, Georgia offers educational opportunities for seniors through the 62+ program at state colleges. Her first course – Drawing I — at Armstrong University in 2016 revealed a hidden talent for art.
Winning Second Place in Mixed Media at the 2017 Landing Art Association Spring Show convinced her to continue her studies. After several courses and workshops, she has found that her favorites are charcoal, watercolor, and pastels.
Iris creates works of art that convey her love for nature – flowers, birds, waterways, the marsh. Her interest in architecture can also be seen in her work. She claims that a benefit of being an artist is the increased intensity in which she notices the visual world around her.
“I paint what I find beautiful – real and imaginary. I paint to remind myself of what I find important and beautiful and to experience the process of painting. I paint for myself and the process. I am very pleased that my work resonates with people.”
Iris grew up in West Virginia, moved to Savannah with her husband Mike, a clay artist (www.dayoubclayart.com) 35 years ago. They have five children and twelve grandchildren. She is the founder of Girls on the Run of Coastal GA and is an Ironman.
Recent juried exhibitions and awards:
Landings Art Association:
- 2017 – Second place – Mixed Media
- 2018 – Third place – Watercolor
- 2019 – Honorable Mention – Mixed Media
Southeast Pastel Society
- 2020 – Juried show acceptance