One of the greatest heros in my life is my grandmother, Mimi. I've borrowed her bio from another publication, but it eloquently explains why I look up to her so much.
"Shirley Hughes Blackman is a lifetime artist. She won her first art award for drawing at just six years of age and, as Miss New Mexico, was the first contestant to name art as her talent in the Miss America Pageant. She graduated from Baylor University, going on to do advanced studio work in Paris with Reynold and Marthe Arnould.
Shirley has been a full time artist since 1970, exhibiting in numerous solo shows and being recognized in both national and international exhibitions. Her work is in many private and public collections in the United States, Central America and France."
I cannot wait until I get to visit my grandparents in July. Counting down the days! I am also hoping that she will assist in the development and design of the stationary for my wedding next April.
I've included a sample of her work above. You can see her work and others by visiting the website for the Austin Street Gallery - owned and operated by my grandparents in Rockport, Texas.
