Artist Statement
Hello, and welcome. I’m Maureen C. Berry, a visual artist and concerned climate citizen. I create eye-pleasing visuals that tell a story and connect the viewer while encouraging introspection, a reset, and a positive transformation. My deep respect for the natural world is the essence of my art.
In 1975, I was a curious teenager on summer vacation to Ocean City, MD, from Pittsburgh, PA, when I smelled the ocean and fell in love with everything under the surface and where the sky met the horizon. Twelve years later, I moved to Florida, and for twenty-three years, the sea and its creatures piqued my curiosity and, conversely, grounded me. Since then, I’ve moved to western Kentucky, where the forests, estuaries, rivers, and hills, similar to my childhood in Pittsburgh, are my muse. I’m fascinated with trees, roots, fungus, the long shadows of early winter, the wonders of spring, the lushness of summer, and the natural decay of fall. This wellspring of nature is where I draw my inspiration.
My Art Journey
Like many creatives, my artistic expression sprung from trauma. In 2019, I was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening cancer—dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
Before I got sick and turned to art, I worked to create art that told a story of hope that reflected my gratitude and awe for the beauty, diversity, and also, sadly, the unsustainability of modern life and its forces on the natural environments. With decades of food service industry experience behind me, my goal was to use my knowledge and talent to help home cooks make sustainable choices at the grocery. In 2016, I published SALMON FROM MARKET TO PLATE, then launched its complementary podcast and speaking program, GREEN FISH BLUE OCEANS. Then cancer interrupted my life. Post-treatment and surgery, I pivoted to art and created ocean-themed watercolors and 3D mixed media using recycled single-use plastic to help create awareness and share the beauty of the ocean and its many ecosystems.Â
But art didn’t magically appear, I’d always been drawn to the creative life. In fact, growing up, I wanted to be an artist, but my mom, a single working parent, dissuaded me. So I pursued art when I wasn’t working: a sketch class here, a pottery course there, a stained glass workshop, and a charcoal class. Art therapy during my cancer recovery in hospital changed that trajectory. Cancer gave me the courage to explore, evolve, and be who I want to be—a creative badass. But also, after two abdominal cancer resections, my system was compromised, and my food career was pushed to the back burner. I’m willing to risk failure to find my voice and art story, to be curious, evolve, and discover. I’m a self-taught artist, constantly exploring workshops and courses in person and online. Since I’m not the kind of person or artist who likes to be boxed in, my art ranges from realism to whimsy to pop.
- My 2024 debut solo exhibition, WILD AFRICAN ADVENTURES IN ART, includes sixty-four works (photography, watercolor, ink), a short wildlife conservation documentary film, and a B-roll video. Part of that collection is a VULNERABLE, a ten-piece realistic pen-and-ink wildlife portrait series.
- My latest collection is GIRL ON FIRE, a captivating six-piece watercolor mixed-media and animated video series that leans toward pop contemporary art. GIRL ON FIRE is a powerful symbol of courage when facing adversity, suffering, or grief. She is relentless yet clear-headed, radiating strength with flames fanning her hair. She remains calm even when the world is on fire and always wears red lipstick.
- I’m known for my realistic and richly detailed bird and botanical watercolors.
- I also incorporate single-use plastics and plastic scraps to create 3D mixed-media ocean-themed watercolor art to support plastic pollution awareness.
You can learn more about my art collections and series below, or check Instagram @maureenc.berry to learn more about me and my art process.
If you want to see my CV, buy art, or are an art gallery, agent, or something else, please contact me at maureencberry@gmail.com.
Hire Me
I’m open to art commissions from March through October. No commission is too small (I’ve done bookmarks!), and I’ll work with your budget, help you place your art in your home, and offer advice on framing it. Each commission includes a thirty-minute consultation. Contact me today.
Let’s create something special!
What People Are Saying
Maureen’s artistic abilities continue to expand and evolve. She brings your vision to the canvas with incredible artistry and creativity. Her pieces breathe life into my own creative space. I highly recommend her!
~ Kathy P.
I have had the pleasure of working with Maureen on several commissioned pieces. Her keen intuition and ability to connect are imparted dynamically, emotionally, and beautifully in her artwork. Her knowledge is broad-based, and the effort she puts into her projects is beyond comparable!
~ Lesley C.
Maureen C. Berry is a talented and versatile artist. Because her watercolors are so striking, I was torn when selecting which would work best in my space. The two I purchased—one more abstract with an inspirational message woven organically into the design and one a sweet floral mini—have added so much to my home. Maureen is a delight to work with and patient beyond measure. My pieces arrived beautifully packaged and in perfect condition. I can’t recommend working with Maureen highly enough!
~ Casey W.
During the pandemic, my daughter was stuck on Oahu, a whole country away from me, so I wanted to send her something special. When I saw Maureen’s watercolors, the plan was formulated. My daughter’s favorite animal is a Red Spanish Sea Dancer nudibranch. When I told Maureen what I was looking for, she came up with a gorgeous design that mimics the true colors and movements of the marine animal. My daughter loved it, and we both appreciated that she now has her first original piece of art hanging on her apartment wall.
~ Carrie H.
I had commissioned a beautiful artwork from Maureen, Octavia, an Octopus. Through our collaboration and communication about what I was looking for and Maureen’s vision and talent, the final piece was exactly what I wanted: a statement about our seas, sustainability, and beauty.
~Jane W.
My Collections
GIRL ON FIRE
GIRL ON FIRE shows courage in adversity, pain, or grief. She is tireless, red-eyed, but clear-headed and radiates strength, fanning flames through her hair. When the world is on fire, when circumstances feel out of control, GIRL ON FIRE is calm and always wears red lipstick.
Girl on Fire is a six-piece watercolor/mixed series with an animated video. It is currently on exhibition at the ARTSWIN gallery in Evansville, IN, through September 2024.
- Girl on Fire—The Original, watercolor, 18×24
- Girl on Fire—Curious, watercolor, 22×15
- Girl on Fire—Octopus, watercolor, rhinestones, 22×15
- Girl on Fire—Word Warrior, watercolor, 22×15, dress: blackout poem: @maureenc.berry, @caseymulliganwalsh, @rebeccamorrisonwriter, @mimiziemanmd, @heathersweeney
- Girl on Fire—Piano Bench, watercolor, ink, 22 x 30, vintage violin sheet music
- Girl on Fire—Roller Skater, watercolor, 22 x 15, top & denim packets: longarm octopus photograph, courtesy of Ocean Conservancy photographer Robert Stansfield, @bobtec
Contact me for more information about purchasing art for your home or gallery at maureencberry@gmail.com.
BOTANICALS
My newest art series (in progress) includes nine single-stem botanicals. Each flower is rendered in watercolor and ink on 22 x 15, 600 gsm cold press Arches paper.
Originals are mounted on a board with a pebbled double mat. Contact me to learn more and purchase. Giclee are available in various sizes through Inman’s Picture Framing and Art Gallery.
Please get in touch to learn more and discover which botanicals I’m painting. If my list doesn’t include your favorite flower, you can commission a piece. I look forward to speaking with you!
VULNERABLE
I created VULNERABLE, a ten-piece wildlife portrait series to raise awareness of the fragility of these species in the wild. These animals are vulnerable for various reasons, including habitat loss caused primarily by human activities: exploration, agriculture, infrastructure, trophy hunting, and domestic animal farming. These activities force wildlife to compete with an already drought-stricken environment.
Using a monochromatic ink palette, this finely detailed technique helped me enhance the distinct features and beauty of the animals, with a focus on the eyes, the epicenter of their hearts and souls.
Each piece is rendered on 15 x 11, 600 gsm cold press, archival Arches paper, float mounted with a cream linen mat and black wood frame. View the portfolio.
BIRDS
let’s create
something special together
To buy art, commission art, or book me to speak at your next event or business opportunity, please email me at maureencberry@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
My Personal Statement
My deep respect for the natural world is the essence of my art. In 1975, I bonded with the ocean. Since then, I’ve come to admire its vast ever-changing hues, sounds, and all the creatures below its surface. I’m also fascinated and in love with the forest and landscapes—long shadows, majestic, craggy mountains, and the way the light falls on the myriad shades of green. I’ve discovered over sixty species of birds in my backyard in Kentucky. This wellspring of life is where I draw my inspiration.
My desire to create art that inspires and offers a connectedness to the natural world and the complex emotional world we live in gives the viewer a chance to reflect, reset, and feel inspired to change.
My Process
All of my art is one-of-a-kind Inktense pencil watercolor, some metallic watercolor, and some pieces are mixed media watercolor to support plastic pollution awareness.
All watercolor art is unframed and signed. Pre-made greeting cards have an inspirational quote on the inside. Greeting cards are extra special. Each card can be framed in a standard 5×7” or matted and framed for a larger impression.
Available art sizes are 5Ă—7”, 8Ă—8”, 9Ă—12”, and 22Ă—30”.Â
Unfortunately, my art is not available as a printed, numbered series, (not yet anyway as of this writing in 2021), but that means each piece you purchase is unique to me and to you.
Let’s Talk Money
Money can be an uncomfortable conversation for some people. I know because I struggled financially for many years. The last thing I ever wanted was to talk about money.
The thing is, art is subjective. If you’re in love with a piece of art or style of art, then money isn’t the issue. Of course, I realize we all have budgets, (as do I) so I create art in various sizes and styles. If you’d like to purchase a piece of art, let me know, and I’ll send you more information.
The Collections
These pieces are the foundation for my commissions—my wheelhouse if you will. These pre-made pieces are available during quarterly art pop-up events online and in person (coming soon!).
Commission Your Piece​
Commissioning an art piece is exciting and scary! You have a say on the design of your art, but you also need to trust me. I value your input and do my best to make sure we communicate, several times if needed, to get your specific creation right. However, if I feel like your request is out of my wheelhouse, I’ll let you know, and we can either part ways or find a compromise. FYI, I currently don’t paint animals, or humans, so I’m sorry I can’t paint your pet or loved one.
During our initial call, we’ll go over sizing, colors, and various elements of the piece, as well as where you will hang the art in your home, or if you are buying art as a gift, we’ll talk about that as well. Each art commission requires a deposit of half the price of the art. The balance, which includes shipping, handling, and insurance, is due when the work is completed.
Contact me today and let’s create something special.
  Â
The Collections
Ocean Friends
I create these whimsical watercolor sea creatures to support plastic pollution awareness. I use plastic Christmas ornaments, threads, straws, single-use plastics, buttons, acrylic beads, and anything that might wind up in the oceans or landfills.
Available in various sizes except for 5×7” or smaller.
Feathered Friends
These watercolor bird creatures are all about fun—whether they’re splashing water, resting in a divine yoga pose, or sporting a flirty, fun vibe, these birds will brighten anybody’s spirit.
Available in various sizes as well as a set of three greeting cards. Greeting cards fit a matted 8×10” frame or in a standalone 5×7” frame.
Flowers
I use metallic watercolor to create stunning flowers ranging from simple blooms and arrangements to various assorted botanicals.
Available in multiple sizes as well as a set of three greeting cards. Greeting cards fit a matted 8×10” frame or in a standalone 5×7” frame.
Feathers
The turkey has long been a symbol of honoring nature and the Earth. I draw my inspiration for these lovely true-size watercolor creations from the turkey feathers I find on my property.
Â
Available in various sizes as well as a tryptic. Not available in 5×7” greeting cards.
let’s create
something special together
To inquire about speaking engagements, commission art, or business opportunities, please email me, or use the contact form.
Artist Statement
Hello, and welcome. I’m Maureen C. Berry, a visual artist and concerned climate citizen. I create eye-pleasing visuals that tell a story and connect the viewer while encouraging introspection, a reset, and a positive transformation. My deep respect for the natural world is the essence of my art.
In 1975, I was a curious teenager on summer vacation to Ocean City, MD, from Pittsburgh, PA, when I smelled the ocean and fell in love with everything under the surface and where the sky met the horizon. Twelve years later, I moved to Florida, and for twenty-three years, the sea and its creatures piqued my curiosity and, conversely, grounded me. Since then, I’ve moved to western Kentucky, where the forests, estuaries, rivers, and hills, similar to my childhood in Pittsburgh, are my muse. I’m fascinated with trees, roots, fungus, the long shadows of early winter, the wonders of spring, the lushness of summer, and the natural decay of fall. This wellspring of nature is where I draw my inspiration.
 My Art Journey
Like many creatives, my artistic expression sprung from trauma. In 2019, I was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening cancer—dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
Before I got sick and turned to art, I worked to create art that told a story of hope that reflected my gratitude and awe for the beauty, diversity, and also, sadly, the unsustainability of modern life and its forces on the natural environments. With decades of food service industry experience behind me, my goal was to use my knowledge and talent to help home cooks make sustainable choices at the grocery. In 2016, I published SALMON FROM MARKET TO PLATE, then launched its complementary podcast and speaking program, GREEN FISH BLUE OCEANS. Then cancer interrupted my life. Post-treatment and surgery, I pivoted to art and created ocean-themed watercolors and 3D mixed media using recycled single-use plastic to help create awareness and share the beauty of the ocean and its many ecosystems.Â
But art didn’t magically appear, I’d always been drawn to the creative life. In fact, growing up, I wanted to be an artist, but my mom, a single working parent, dissuaded me. So I pursued art when I wasn’t working: a sketch class here, a pottery course there, a stained glass workshop, and a charcoal class. Art therapy during my cancer recovery in hospital changed that trajectory. Cancer gave me the courage to explore, evolve, and be who I want to be—a creative badass. But also, after two abdominal cancer resections, my system was compromised and my food career was pushed to the back burner. Now, I’m willing to risk failure to find my voice and art story, to be curious, evolve, and discover. I’m a self-taught artist, constantly exploring workshops and courses in person and online. Since I’m not the kind of person or artist who likes to be boxed in, my art ranges from realism to whimsy to pop.
- My 2024 debut solo exhibition, WILD AFRICAN ADVENTURES IN ART, includes sixty-four works (photography, watercolor, ink), a short wildlife conservation documentary film, and a B-roll video. Part of that collection is a VULNERABLE, a ten-piece realistic pen-and-ink wildlife portrait series.
- My latest collection is GIRL ON FIRE, a captivating six-piece watercolor mixed-media and animated video series that leans toward pop contemporary art. GIRL ON FIRE is a powerful symbol of courage when facing adversity, suffering, or grief. She is relentless yet clear-headed, radiating strength with flames fanning her hair. She remains calm even when the world is on fire and always wears red lipstick.
- I’m known for my realistic and richly detailed bird and botanical watercolors.
- I also incorporate single-use plastics and plastic scraps to create 3D mixed-media ocean-themed watercolor art to support plastic pollution awareness.
You can learn more about my art collections and series below, or check Instagram @maureenc.berry to learn more about me and my art process.
If you want to see my CV, buy art, or are an art gallery, agent, or something else, please contact me at maureencberry@gmail.com.
 Hire Me
I’m open to art commissions from March through October. No commission is too small (I’ve done bookmarks!), and I’ll work with your budget, help you place your art in your home, and offer advice on framing it. Each commission includes a thirty-minute consultation. Contact me today.
Let’s create something special!
What People Are Saying
Maureen’s artistic abilities continue to expand and evolve. She brings your vision to the canvas with incredible artistry and creativity. Her pieces breathe life into my own creative space. I highly recommend her!
~ Kathy P.
I have had the pleasure of working with Maureen on several commissioned pieces. Her keen intuition and ability to connect are imparted dynamically, emotionally, and beautifully in her artwork. Her knowledge is broad-based, and the effort she puts into her projects is beyond comparable!
~ Lesley C.
Maureen C. Berry is a talented and versatile artist. Because her watercolors are so striking, I was torn when selecting which would work best in my space. The two I purchased—one more abstract with an inspirational message woven organically into the design and one a sweet floral mini—have added so much to my home. Maureen is a delight to work with and patient beyond measure. My pieces arrived beautifully packaged and in perfect condition. I can’t recommend working with Maureen highly enough!
~ Casey W.
During the pandemic, my daughter was stuck on Oahu, a whole country away from me, so I wanted to send her something special. When I saw Maureen’s watercolors, the plan was formulated. My daughter’s favorite animal is a Red Spanish Sea Dancer nudibranch. When I told Maureen what I was looking for, she came up with a gorgeous design that mimics the true colors and movements of the marine animal. My daughter loved it, and we both appreciated that she now has her first original piece of art hanging on her apartment wall.
~ Carrie H.
I had commissioned a beautiful artwork from Maureen, Octavia, an Octopus. Through our collaboration and communication about what I was looking for and Maureen’s vision and talent, the final piece was exactly what I wanted: a statement about our seas, sustainability, and beauty.
~Jane W.
  Â
My Collections
GIRL ON FIRE
GIRL ON FIRE shows courage in adversity, pain, or grief. She is tireless, red-eyed, but clear-headed and radiates strength, fanning flames through her hair. When the world is on fire, when circumstances feel out of control, GIRL ON FIRE is calm and always wears red lipstick.
Girl on Fire is a six-piece watercolor/mixed series with an animated video. It is currently on exhibition at the ARTSWIN gallery in Evansville, IN, through September 2024.
- Girl on Fire—The Original, watercolor, 18×24
- Girl on Fire—Curious, watercolor, 22×15
- Girl on Fire—Octopus, watercolor, rhinestones, 22×15
- Girl on Fire—Word Warrior, watercolor, 22×15, dress: blackout poem: @maureenc.berry, @caseymulliganwalsh, @rebeccamorrisonwriter, @mimiziemanmd, @heathersweeney
- Girl on Fire—Piano Bench, watercolor, ink, 22 x 30, vintage violin sheet music
- Girl on Fire—Roller Skater, watercolor, 22 x 15, top & denim packets: longarm octopus photograph, courtesy of Ocean Conservancy photographer Robert Stansfield, @bobtec
Contact me for more information about purchasing art for your home or gallery at maureencberry@gmail.com.
BOTANICALS
My newest art series (in progress) includes nine single-stem botanicals. Each flower is rendered in watercolor and ink on 22 x 15, 600 gsm cold press Arches paper.
Originals are mounted on a board with a pebbled double mat. Contact me to learn more and purchase. Giclee are available in various sizes through Inman’s Picture Framing and Art Gallery.
Please get in touch to learn more and discover which botanicals I’m painting. If my list doesn’t include your favorite flower, you can commission a piece. I look forward to speaking with you!
VULNERABLE
I created VULNERABLE, a ten-piece African wildlife portrait series to raise awareness of the fragility of these species in the wild. These animals are vulnerable for various reasons, including habitat loss caused primarily by human activities: exploration, agriculture, infrastructure, trophy hunting, and domestic animal farming. These activities force wildlife to compete with an already drought-stricken environment.
Using a monochromatic ink palette, this finely detailed technique helped me enhance the distinct features and beauty of the animals, with a focus on the eyes, the epicenter of their hearts and souls.
Each piece is rendered on 15 x 11, 600 gsm cold press, archival Arches paper, float mounted with a cream linen mat and black wood frame. View the portfolio.
BIRDS
let’s create
something special together
To buy art, commission art, or book me to speak at your next event or business opportunity, please email me at maureencberry@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
Â
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Every third Sunday of the month, I share hand-picked, bite-sized inspiration on books, art, and food.
You can unsubscribe anytime, but I hope you don’t!
Ready to create the life you want to live?
Get the 4 Pillars to Creative Badassery ebook when you sign up for my newsletter.
Every third Sunday of the month, I share hand-picked, bite-sized inspiration on books, art, and food.
You can unsubscribe anytime, but I hope you don’t!
