Therese McAteer
Growing up surrounded by the beauty and variety of nature, spending as much time as possible outdoors, being taught by my father how to create and care for gardens, I wholeheartedly followed my natural curiosity by looking closely; studying a blossom, a leaf, a branch. I was captivated! How did a twig grow into a tree; a bud open into a riot of color and shape; a blossom morph into an eggplant, a tomato, a squash?
In 2003, after retiring from a career in administration and teaching, fate planted me in Richmond, Virginia in a home near the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens where I took my first class in Botanical illustration. And that is when I discovered my passion for botanical art which became the primary avenue through which I work to explore the intricacies, mysteries, and beauty surrounding us daily. Most of my specimens are found in my backyard or during my daily walks.
Great curiosity about the world and other cultures has led me to travel widely throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and South America, and to teach and make my home in the American Southwest for a time. The abandoned homes and ancient pueblos held questions and few answers. I have worked to give them some expression in art.
I earned a certificate in Botanical Illustration and Art from The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia, and am a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Christaphora Robeers, international artist and teacher based in Richmond, was a most valued teacher and critic. My painting group in East Carolina under the guidance of Gail Ritzer joyfully encouraged and inspired me to explore new directions in my work.
I work primarily in watercolor, egg tempera, and color pencil with forays into pen and ink, and graphite as I continue to explore new avenues in artistic expression.
I exhibit with juried group and solo shows in several venues throughout Virginia, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.
My art is collected by patrons throughout the United States.
In 2003, after retiring from a career in administration and teaching, fate planted me in Richmond, Virginia in a home near the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens where I took my first class in Botanical illustration. And that is when I discovered my passion for botanical art which became the primary avenue through which I work to explore the intricacies, mysteries, and beauty surrounding us daily. Most of my specimens are found in my backyard or during my daily walks.
Great curiosity about the world and other cultures has led me to travel widely throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and South America, and to teach and make my home in the American Southwest for a time. The abandoned homes and ancient pueblos held questions and few answers. I have worked to give them some expression in art.
I earned a certificate in Botanical Illustration and Art from The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia, and am a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Christaphora Robeers, international artist and teacher based in Richmond, was a most valued teacher and critic. My painting group in East Carolina under the guidance of Gail Ritzer joyfully encouraged and inspired me to explore new directions in my work.
I work primarily in watercolor, egg tempera, and color pencil with forays into pen and ink, and graphite as I continue to explore new avenues in artistic expression.
I exhibit with juried group and solo shows in several venues throughout Virginia, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.
My art is collected by patrons throughout the United States.
