In the 4th Grade, I had to choose between art and music. It was a very hard choice for a 9-year old who loved and grew up with both art and music. My mother, an accomplished artist, was also a trained classical pianist, and my father was an art collector. My paternal grandfather, an attorney, was also an art collector and I grew up with every room of my home “wallpapered” with original artwork by American greats such as Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, Robert Henri, Winslow Homer, George Inness, Theodore Robinson, Edward Redfield, Rae Sloan, John Sloan, John Twachtman, John Folinsbee, and Guy Wiggins to name a few. I still have many of the letters between these artists and my grandfather but most of my grandfather’s papers and records are in the National Archives in New York City and in Washington, DC as an important part of the history that went toward establishing these many artists. I would look at paintings all day and fall asleep at night listening to my mother play Chopin and Schumann. Since art and music were part of my every day life growing up, I did not think I could choose. But I did. In 4th grade I chose music and went on to study with Vivian Wagner and solo with Savoy.
Singing brought me back to art. The Savoy Company one year announced that, instead of renting scenery, the company was going to make their own stage sets and all were welcome to put in a design. I got out my children’s poster paints and entered. To my surprise, my design won. Having graduated from college as an English major, I also began writing and illustrating children’s stories at this time. When I got too old to be jumping over pipes and running up and down ladders putting on final touches to stage and lighting designs at opera companies and finally for the Orpheus Revels in Philadelphia, I began to paint fine art and studied with PAFA professors such as Beverly Garnett, Tom Gaughn and Homer Johnson. Oils at first, remembering all I had learned by osmosis at my mother’s knee, then the more difficult transparent watercolor which was the medium I used for children’s illustrations. I try to paint confidently and freely and consider myself a romantic realist, leaning toward impressionism.
I’m writing again and am at last back to both music and art – singing soprano in church choir and painting oils and watercolors. I should be paying bills or washing dishes or cooking, but I write and paint and sing instead. I become absorbed in what I am doing. I lose track of time. Nothing keeps me from my work – except my wonderful, intelligent, artsy, loving grandchildren.
Mimi is a member of and/or exhibits with:
French Creek Art Colony
The Art League
National Watercolor Society
American Watercolor Society
Philadelphia Water Color Society
Artists Equity
Artists’ Guild of Delaware County
Art Ability
Mimi is represented by:
Franciska Needham Gallery, 30 Water Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543
Frogtowne Artisan Creations, 1990 Ridge Road (Route 23), Pottstown, PA 19465
There are currently over 125 Private Collectors investing in Mimi’s art. Many own three or more of Mimi’s paintings. These Private Collections are located in the following states:
CALIFORNIA MASSACHUSETTS
CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE NEW YORK
FLORIDA PENNSYLVANIA
MARYLAND WASHINGTON
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