Internationally exhibited artist COL-e is a self-taught painter with formal Fine Art School education. She attended prominent mid-west and west coast Universities (University of Michigan Bachelor of Fine Arts Program 1991 and California State University Master of Fine Art Program 1995) Ironically, she never enrolled in a painting class, opting instead for independent studies and other studio electives like photography, ceramics, printmaking and even digital music. While   working   independently   during   her   college   years COL-e  invented, refined, and claimed her own method of painting- literally by accident.

While experimenting with color and textures in her studio, she tipped a bottle of paint and watched as it settled on a finished canvas resting on the floor. Before the spill, the canvas displayed a raised circular design molded from thick textured paint. The Spilled color pooled inside that circle and lay there shimmering like glazed varnish. The next day the spilled paint was completely dry, yet the color retained a glistening lustrous shine that is a trademark of her work today. Fascinated with the drenched texture she achieved by chance, she set about clarifying a new technique, experimenting with many paint formulas in search of archival-quality, non-toxic recipe that she could finesse.

The insignia that marks COL-e’s originals is the last letter of her childhood nickname “Colie” I went through a phase in my childhood where I phonetically wrote all of the vowel signs with their symbols so anything ending in y or ie became -e with a long vowel line over the top. This sign represents the childhood innocence and playfulness that is present in all of COL-e’s artwork.

COL-e’s Color scheme is bold, eccentric, and very primary. Her paintings have received international exposure via exhibits in Washington DC, Miami, Palm Beach, Los Angeles, Austin Texas, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and on the International circuit in Paris, London, Tahiti, Canada.

Education

University of Michigan BFA
California State University LA MFA

Gallery/Museum Representation:

Arthur Danzigger Soho NY
WAM Los Angeles
WAM Austin Tx
Art Fusion Boca Raton
Creighton Davis Galley Washington DC
Minds Eye Fort Lauderdale
Images Friedman Louisville
Pandemonium Key West
Macon Tubman Museum Atlanta
Boca Raton Museum George Bulge Private Collection

Noteworthy Patrons:

Periodicals and News Coverage:


.Boca Raton News Front Page Local Exhibit Coverage

.Palm Beach Post Various Articles 2001-2009

.WXEL IInterview Las Olas Arts Center One Woman Exhibit COL-e

.City Link: Featured Artist of the Month “COL-e”

.PBS  interview  “Roof  Painter”  Delray  Beach  Local  International Artist “COL-e”

.SunPost Cover 1998-2009 4 times

.Metro Mix Art Murmor February 2009: Featured Artist

.Sun Senitnal May 2007 “Amuse The Ants” Change of Scenery article