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