Artists Statement by Mindy Newman
Born here in Columbus, Ohio, I felt the need to see the great museums of art, so I traveled to Europe once a year along with my husband. I worked in San Francisco as a secretary at Pacific Coast Stock Exchange in the late 1960’s and as an interior designer for John M. Smyth in Chicago, in the early 1970’s. Travel, I am certain, has educated me more than any college degree could. I’ve been an academic, because I earned over 120 college credits from OSU and worked on faculty at Columbus College of Art and Design in the Fine Arts library from 1976-1981. There I met Leland McClelland and he allowed me to audit his watercolor class for four years. This was a wonderful beginning for me into painting.
I met my husband in 1974, we married and started a little art supply store called The Artists’ Workshop. It closed in 2001 but lasted for 27 years. It was a time for me to learn how to apply my art history knowledge and to use the art supplies. I also discovered I was a good teacher, so I have been teaching studio arts since 1981, to all age groups. I have worked for the Cultural Arts Center, CCAD, Upper Arlington’s’ Lifelong Learning and Leisure, Barrington Elementary, the UA Senior Recreation Center, Franklin Park Conservatory, Dublin Community Recreation Center and Dublin Arts Council off and on for years. There are too many incidental jobs to list. As an independent contractor, my now retired husband and I have more flexible schedules.
My paintings are currently at my studio, 2583 ½ North High Street, and my home. I have shows with the Dublin Arts Council, Lifelong Learning and Leisure, the Upper Arlington Senior Center, the Dublin Community Recreation Center and Franklin Park Conservatory. Recently I appeared on NBC’s Saturday morning talk show with Mindy Drayer and Marshall Mc Peek. Franklin Park Conservatory wanted me to promote my art classes.
