Lois Coward
I have had a lifelong interest in art with limited formal training. High school and college did not allow the pursuit of that interest, and it was not until the mid to late 70’s that I had the chance to explore art instruction. Fortunately at that time, after moving from North Carolina to Colorado, we then settled in quite a unique area of the country, Berea, Kentucky, where there were ample opportunities to be involved in arts and crafts. Berea College gave me a chance to study design, sculpture, printmaking, and art history. At the same time I managed a small retail shop that sold finished art and Appalachian crafts as well as a full line of supplies. Those years were truly a wonderful time for me to submerge myself in different areas of art.
Since moving to Virginia in 1981, I have taken classes through the Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Department, Lynchburg Art Club, Academy of Fine Arts, Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton, Bower Center in Bedford, and The Studio School in Roanoke. My husband and I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Provence, France, in 2014, to study and tour with Roanoke artists Vera Dickerson and Robin Poteet.
Currently, I am a long-time member of the Seven Hills Art Club, and have served in the past as secretary and publicity chairperson. Currently, I maintain the club’s membership rosters and volunteer as needed to help our club remain successful. I am past president of the Lynchburg Art Club and a former board member of the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities.
I’ve tried my hand at oils, watercolor, acrylic, collage, pastels, printmaking, and encaustics. My earlier attempts in realistic oils gave me a good base to finally enjoy the loose and free compositions I create now using abstract and surreal acrylic/collage techniques. Drawing has always been part of my artistic pursuits, and I still enjoy the discipline that it provides.
After relinquishing many volunteer duties in the last few years, I am now spending more time in my studio pursuing my artwork when I’m not visiting with my children, traveling with my husband, and checking off our “bucket list” aspirations. I hope to always have the time and energy to keep painting. I find it a necessary and rewarding part of my life.
I have had a lifelong interest in art with limited formal training. High school and college did not allow the pursuit of that interest, and it was not until the mid to late 70’s that I had the chance to explore art instruction. Fortunately at that time, after moving from North Carolina to Colorado, we then settled in quite a unique area of the country, Berea, Kentucky, where there were ample opportunities to be involved in arts and crafts. Berea College gave me a chance to study design, sculpture, printmaking, and art history. At the same time I managed a small retail shop that sold finished art and Appalachian crafts as well as a full line of supplies. Those years were truly a wonderful time for me to submerge myself in different areas of art.
Since moving to Virginia in 1981, I have taken classes through the Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Department, Lynchburg Art Club, Academy of Fine Arts, Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton, Bower Center in Bedford, and The Studio School in Roanoke. My husband and I enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Provence, France, in 2014, to study and tour with Roanoke artists Vera Dickerson and Robin Poteet.
Currently, I am a long-time member of the Seven Hills Art Club, and have served in the past as secretary and publicity chairperson. Currently, I maintain the club’s membership rosters and volunteer as needed to help our club remain successful. I am past president of the Lynchburg Art Club and a former board member of the James River Council for the Arts and Humanities.
I’ve tried my hand at oils, watercolor, acrylic, collage, pastels, printmaking, and encaustics. My earlier attempts in realistic oils gave me a good base to finally enjoy the loose and free compositions I create now using abstract and surreal acrylic/collage techniques. Drawing has always been part of my artistic pursuits, and I still enjoy the discipline that it provides.
After relinquishing many volunteer duties in the last few years, I am now spending more time in my studio pursuing my artwork when I’m not visiting with my children, traveling with my husband, and checking off our “bucket list” aspirations. I hope to always have the time and energy to keep painting. I find it a necessary and rewarding part of my life.
