(PHOENIX, Ariz., March 15, 2004) – She doesn’t paint in solitude. She is captivated by bold, vibrant colors and her watercolors tend to range from images of architecture to insects. She is Liz O’Brien, energetic local artist and Phoenix College Communication, American Sign Language, Theatre and Film department chair and instructor.

Nearly 12 years ago, O’Brien took a Beginning Watercolor class on a whim and she now shows in galleries, coffeehouses and teahouses throughout Arizona. Additionally, Modern Postcard Advertising used one of her paintings to advertise for their company in the February 2004 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Now, her representation of the Phoenix College Bulpitt Auditorium will grace the front cover of approximately 250,000 Summer/Fall 2004 schedules, which will be available on campus Monday, March 22.

Before Basic Watercolor, a course she believes changed her life, O’Brien described herself as having "few artistic abilities" and credits her instructor, Ina May Moore for allowing her "artistic soul to be tapped, touched, nurtured and inspired."

"Ina May stressed a love of process – the process of engaging in the moment of artistic expression despite the product you may or may not get in the end," added O’Brien. "Ina May introduced me to a world of new ideas, a world of color, a world of risk taking, a world of vulnerabilities, a world of art and artists, and that is a rich world that attracts incredibly creative and loving people."

O’Brien’s rendition of the Bulpitt Auditorium, one of the oldest buildings on campus, shows the vibrancy of the Phoenix College campus. The fluid, bright colors illustrate the constant movement on this busy campus. "I see Phoenix College as dynamic, colorful and vibrant and that’s what I hoped to reveal in my painting," she said.

During a campus ceremony unveiling O’Brien’s artwork, Phoenix College director of Institutional Advancement, Mike Murphy announced a call for entries for the Spring 2005 Schedule Cover contest.

"Artwork entries should represent a slice of Phoenix College life that shows students and the community a glimpse into the college’s special personality and its place as an educational and lifestyle resource for central Phoenix," said Murphy.

Although more details about the contest are to come in the future, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take part in this great opportunity. For more information about the contest, please call (602) 285-7453.

Additionally, O’Brien will exhibit her most recent work entitled New Works: Architecture, Abstracts, Cats in Phoenix and Tucson in the next few weeks. This will be her second one-woman show. Mark your calendars for her upcoming show.

Watercolors in the Gallery
Saturday, April 3
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
John Alexander Gallery
18 South Eastbourne, Tucson
(Just south of Table Talk at Country Club and Broadway)
Exhibition continues through June 14

For more on Liz O’Brien’s artwork, visit lizobrienart.com. Class schedules are distributed across the Phoenix College campus and into the local neighborhoods. The class schedule is also available online at www.phoenixcollege.edu.

Artwork provided by Liz O'Brien

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