Prissy Armfield
I was born in Statesville , N.C., where I lived until I went to
Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem , N.C. I received a BA with
majors in Latin and English with a teaching degree. I taught both
subjects.
My art background began while in Statesville , where
I took seven years of private art lessons in pencil , charcoal ,
pastels and oil from Louise Gilbert, a local college art teacher. I
also studied portrait drawing from McKendre Long , grandfather of
the nationally - known portrait and fresco painter Ben Long.
Art took a backseat while being a stay-at-home mom
to three boys. I returned to art and took pastel workshops with
William Schultz , Jack Pardue , Susan Ogilvie , Susan Sarback ,
Clayton Beck and Albert Handel. Also I studied sculpting from
Earline heath King , Rosalind Cook and Eugene Daub.
I now sculpt in clay : three dimensional figurative
and portraiture and relief sculpture. My work is in Terra Cotta Clay
which is fired as a permanent piece or cast in bronze , bonded
bronze , or bonded marble.
I also paint in oil and pastel : portraits , figures
and landscapes. I am a member of Associated Artists of Winston -
Salem , NC.
Artist Statement
I grew up in a small town where everyone nurtured me , friends ,
family , teachers , and church members. At a young age I enjoyed art
in all dimensions. My father encouraged me in that path. Art speaks
to me spiritually and has nurtured my spiritual growth.
Through the form of artistic expression I identify with creation
around me and within people. I feel spirituality as I create and as
I view other peoples’ creativity.
Art gives me life and meaning in good times and in painful times.
Life without art is life without meaning.
Prissy Armfield
