Mickle, Milli, Floating Blue, 2017, watercolor on paper, 14 x 29.5 inches, signed lower right, framed in a blue frame measuring 15 x 30 inches Artist Statement: I have been drawing on and off for awhile now, and in recent years I have exhibited my oil and watercolor paintings at the Hermann Museum twice, once at the Spinning Plate Gallery, and now I have exhibited one of my watercolor paintings at the Carnegie Museum. I love working with pencil, pen, conte crayon, and ink. Then, to save my sanity while I waited to hear if I got tenure or not—I am an Associate Professor of English at a local university now—I took an oil painting class and discovered that I like painting. I took an oriental painting class and an acrylic painting class and discovered that I could paint with those media. It really was with the oriental painting class that I learned that I could control water and paint; although, "control" is a relative term. Of all the media I have tried, I love watercolor painting the best because I never really know what's going to happen when I apply water and paint to the paper. I tend to paint by the seat of my pants and hope for the best! I love how watercolor challenges me to be in the moment and let go of any preconceived notions that I'm actually in control of my craft. I am enjoying my journey down the road of surrendering control since thinking one is in control tends to be an illusion a lot of the time. But, art tends to be an illusion that can lead us to some profound truths—if we let it. Mentored by international sculptor Selma Burke at its founding, Women of Visions has sustained 40 years in the city of Pittsburgh as the only non-profit collective of African American women visual artists. Women of Visions mounts group and collaborative exhibitions, teaches classes to people of every generation, and networks to build relationships in the arts and lay community both in and outside the city of Pittsburgh. The members of Women of Visions represent a diverse range of lifestyles and artistic experiences; thus rich and varied expressions of personal, social, and political views are presented in each exhibition the group organizes. Over the course of 40 years, Women of Visions has continued to nurture and support professional and emerging women artists of color, and to bring to the general public the full richness and scope of our cultural heritage. Currently, Women of Visions is the oldest women’s organization of its kind in the country. They have experienced the years of both revolution and evolution. Now, with the country’s historic placement of a woman of color in the role of Vice President of the United States, this historic organization seeks ways to push themselves and their art to the next level. As part of their growth strategy, Women of Visions has inducted 16 new members in one year, amplified their mission with ground-breaking exhibitions, and are poised to pass on their legacy of establishing “excellence in the visual arts” to the next generation of African American women. In 2021, Women of Visions was awarded the title of “American Cultural Treasure” by the Ford Foundation and Heinz Foundation. For more information visit womenofvisionspgh.org. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .