Born and bred as an avid “NC Tarheel”, I have also become a “GA Peach” having resided in Ga. for the last 30 years. As a graduate from GA State University with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Art & Interior Design, my interests in color, textiles, and art have been a very important part of my life. As a child I was always drawing and painting, and as an Interior Designer, I began to enjoy  painting more than ever. Twenty years ago I began learning to paint on porcelain, and did many custom decorative tiles which garnered many awards. My teacher, Amy Lakides, an Internationally known porcelain painter, advised me to consider Watercolors as an additional medium. After her death, I began taking watercolor classes and have actively pursued this wonderful, somewhat unpredictable medium. Subjects explored include figurative, floral, pet and landscape. My current emphasis has been on portraits of children, adults and pets. No matter the subject, I am always chasing the light, dancing my brushes, and love  playing with colors. It is my passion and I have devoted all my time to this process every day, continually striving to improve my skill level.  These two quotes sum up my feelings  about art:

“When I heard that there were artists, I wished that I could be one. If  I could only make a rose bloom on paper, I thought I should be happy, or if I could at last suceed in drawing the outline of winter stripped boughs as I saw them against the sky, it seems to me that I should be willing to spend years in trying.” by Lucy Larcom, a New England girl 1889.

“To me Art is one of the greatest resources of my life. I feel it enriches the spiritual life, makes one more sane, sympathetic, more observant and understanding, as well as being good for ones nerves.”

Vickie M. Hawkins
Marietta, GA