Twists of Nature: Sheila Bentley Exhibition

February 12-March 31. On view in the Grand Hallway.

“I have been exploring my love of nature and the environment through watercolor for over 17 years. My work often takes a playful look at the relationship between plants and animals and pursues the possibilities of what might be if you let your imagination play with the images.

While applying what I have learned from artists I have studied with, I have also tried to focus on creating unique paintings that incorporate objects from nature with a sense of humor and a dose of creativity in the works that I call “Twists of Nature.” If these paintings make you smile, then they have been successful. Some of these involve hidden objects in the paintings or subtle references to famous paintings. These sometimes require that people stop and take a more studied look at the painting to see its full message.

I have studied watercolor techniques with many artists including internationally known artists, such as Cheng Khee Chee, Gerald Brommer, Fran Larsen, and Lian Quan Zhen and local artists Fred Rawlinson and Sally Markell.

Prior to taking up watercolor, I had a consulting business for 30 years focusing on communication and leadership development with clients nationwide and served as adjunct faculty at the University of Memphis and Arizona State University for a total of 24 years.”