I am an artist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Born in Utah, I spent my growing years exploring the mountains and open spaces of the American West by bicycle, car and on foot. My family on both sides were pioneers and homesteaders in Oklahoma and Alberta. I come from a long line of makers. On the windswept frontiers, if you couldn’t make something, you probably didn’t have it. We learned to visualize what we wanted and hope for the best.
I am primarily a painter, but my work covers a range of media. Currently I am working mostly in gouache watercolor on paper and acrylic on panel. I also do vitreous enamel tiny paintings that are jewelry pieces, as well as some printmaking and mixed media work.
My work reflects a love of pattern and nature, as well as focusing on the irony of daily life. I paint improvisational landscapes with illusory animals and birds. I see my work as following in the American Magical Realism tradition of Wanda Gag, Edward Hopper and Grant Wood. My goal is to create an artwork that provides a place of visual respite, melding beauty and joy with humor.
Formerly Slightly Famous Artist
From 1981 – 1995 I was working as an architect by day and painting the rest of the time. By the mid-80s, I had gallery representation and a small following. I created slightly smaller than life-size cutouts of people and animals in various tableaus. Good times.
Architecture
From 1981-1995 I worked as as licensed architect in Seattle, New York, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I began in residential house design/renovation. I ended doing medical facilities and high end retail design/construction. Being a woman doing construction supervision in the 1970s – 80s had many thrilling moments. The most intriguing projects were hospital design, which tended to be like giant puzzles – trying to fit a large number of needs, people and equipment into very limited spaces. Below are a few of the memorable projects that I worked on.
Pediatricians Office, Pittsburgh, PA
This was a renovation of a gas station into a pediatrician’s office that I did with John Hegnes Construction. The budget was tight. The goals was to create a fun colorful environment for the patients and their parents, but with minimal new construction cost. Pittsburgh Corning glass used the completed project as part of their national advertising campaign.
Charles Jourdan Monsieur, Men’s shop NYC
with Owen, Springer and Mandolfo. Featured in Interior Design Magazine.
Grand Union Supermarket, NY metro area
with Milton Glaser
Art Resume
Serena Fenton 