Many know Tricia as a fine art oil painter who paints landscapes and floral works with a style that’s bold and bright with highly textured strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. Others are familiar with her work as the editorial graphic artist for The Joplin Globe, where she has worked for 23 years. Tricia is also the webmaster for Spiva Center for the Arts, Arts of the Four States & Ozark Artists Colony Fewer still know her as the creator of Buzzlewics, fanciful characters which she has been creating since grade school—doodling in her notebook rather than taking notes in class.

A recent exhibit at Spiva took viewers on a tour of the whimsical world Courtney has created over the years. Decked out in bright colors with gentle smiles on their faces,
the Buzzlewics seem to be a happy, friendly lot, busily enjoying life.

And just where do Buzzlewics come from? Taking pen in hand, the artist begins a simple line drawing that within minutes becomes a Buzzlewic creature. “I don't really start with an idea in mind,” she says. “I just follow the line.”

Noting that children (and adults!) find her characters appealing, the Buzzlewic creator admits that she enjoys seeing the smiles and happy responses from those who see her work. Already Buzzlewic character puzzles have been produced, and new giclée reproductions were made available for the Spiva exhibit. Looking forward, Courtney hopes to publish an educational book series for children that encourages stewardship, tolerance, and peace.

Her other character line, the Zoppyzeeps, are designed with a folk art flavor, more simplified shapes, silly and fun.

And then there's "Other Designs", a collection of animals, holidays, florals, various illustrations that she will develop further.

Tricia a Joplin native, is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield Missouri, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting.

She has done custom design work for companies like American Home, Scholastic,
F.R. Industries and Abbey Press.

More information -

Education
• McAuley Catholic High School, Joplin, Mo. 1975
• Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University), Springfield, Mo. 1979
(Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting)
• Central State University, Edmond, Okla. 1980 (Post graduate work, Graphics)

Work History
• Retail Advertising Graphic Artist, The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Mo. 1981-1998
• Editorial Graphic Artist, The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Mo. 1998-present
• Webmaster/photography – Ozark Artists Colony The Joplin Globe, 1998-present
• Webmaster/photography – Arts of the Four States The Joplin Globe, 2003-present
• Webmaster/photography – Spiva Center for the Arts 2004-present
• Fine Artist/Illustrator 1962 - present
Mediums -Oil, acrylic, mosaic, found objects, collage, pen & ink, pencil, digital
• Character Designer
“The Land of the Buzzlewics”
“Zoppyzeeps”
• Freelance Clients (Mostly digital, pen & ink, collage)
Scholastic
Ceaco, Inc.
Grossett & Dunlap
American Home
Creative Horizons
F.R. Industries of California
Jesali, Inc
Landoll Publishing
Silver Burdett & Ginn Publishing
Harcourt/Grace Publishing

Art Organizations
• George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, Mo.
• artCentral, Joplin, Mo.

Workshops, art-related teachings
• Children’s Art Demonstrations
• Fairview Elementary School, Carthage, Mo.
• Eugene Fields Elementary School, Webb City, Mo.
• Carl Junction Elementary School, Carl Junction, Mo.
• Joplin Gifted Children, Joplin, Mo.
• St. Mary’s Catholic School, Joplin, Mo.
• McAuley Catholic School, Joplin, Mo.
• Thomas Jefferson School, Joplin, Mo.
• Joplin High School, Joplin, Mo.
• Writer’s Guild, Monett Mo.
• St. Avips Perspectives
• Judged various organizations children’s art shows and competitions

Art Workshops at Spiva Center for the Arts
• “Mosaics with Tricia Courtney”
• “Spiva Special Weekend Workshop: Found Object Angels with Tricia Courtney
• “Bits & Pieces: Mosaic Fun! with Tricia Courtney” - (Feb. 24, 2007)

Charitable Work through Art
• Ronald McDonald House
• American Cancer Society
• YMCA, Tradition of the Trees
• Joplin Area Catholic Schools/St. Peter's Church
• artCentral
• St. Ann’s Elementary School, Carthage
• St. Ann’s Church, Carthage
• KOZJ, Public Television
• George A. Spiva Center for the Arts
• Friends of St. Avips (Spiva)

Community Involvement
• George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, Mo.
• Beautify Joplin, Joplin Globe Team Captain
• Rejuvenate Joplin, Representative, Joplin Globe

Exhibitions
• Midwest Gathering of the Artists,Joplin, Mo.Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, Mo.
• Post Memorial Art Reference Library, Joplin, Mo.
• artCentral, Carthage, Mo. (Spring River Artists Group)
• Barton County Arts Council Art Show
• Ronald McDonald House, Joplin, Mo.
• Friends of St. Avips Ball & Art Auction
• Perspectives Gallery of Fine Art Public Art Sale (Friends of St. Avips)

Galleries
• Cherry's Custom Framing, Carthage, Mo.
• Cleo's Picture Framing & Design, Joplin, Mo.
• George A. Spiva Center for the Arts (Gift Shop), Joplin, Mo.

Awards
• Midwest Gathering of the Artists Director's Award - 2004
• Hometown Bank Award - 2004
• Helen S. Boylan Award - 2002
• Carthage Chamber of Commerce "Artist of the Year" Award - 2003
• Spiva Center for the Arts 3rd Place - Membership Show 1999
• Ronald McDonald House Art Show - People’s Choice Award

 

© Tricia Courtney