Where ART Lives Magazine Volume 2 Number 4 | Page 94

Where ART Lives Gallery Members Mindy Lighthipe “I draw and paint the beauty of nature. I believe in protecting the earth and do so by educating people through my art. I work in a contemporary approach similar to John James Audubon, Maria Sibylla Merian, and Mark Catesby to show the natural history and interconnection of plants, insects, birds and mammals. I am painting a legacy for future generations. My goal is to record the earth’s species in the 21st century and educate people to preserve it.” Artist, Mindy Lighthipe is passionate about getting out into the natural world and discovering the beauty in every rock, stream and forest. With this passion she carefully studies her subjects in their environment. Her paintings evolve by collecting sketches, taking color notes and using her digital photo references as materials to create her works of art. Mindy uses a variety of techniques to create her bold imagery. She carefully and accurately draws her compositions often creating full detailed drawings in pencil before going onto color. Mindy is not shy when it comes to color application. She paints in watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and Pan Pastels. It is not uncommon for her to break traditional and classic rules combining techniques to create her unique and breath taking style. Mindy graduated from Kean University with a BFA in Studio Arts and a MA in Art EducationMagna cum laude. She received her 210 hour certification from the New York Botanical Gardens in Botanical Illustration. After graduating she went on to teach over 20 different classes in their Botanical Art Program and developed a 250 hour certificate in Natural Science Illustration. Mindy has been exhibiting her art since 1998 in juried and solo exhibitions. In 2009 she received a Silver Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London. In 2010 she had a solo exhibition at the Florida Museum of Natural History. She currently is teaching Scientific Illustration at the University of Florida. www.MindyLighthipe.com 94