ABOUT THE ARTIST
P.R. Bailey (Abbe)
My earliest influence in art was when my (older) brother would do pencil drawings to entertain me. I like to draw, and wanted to be a "great artist" like my brother...except he was a sculptor! (Robert C. Raymond)
When I married Bailey, in 1950, we moved from New Hampshire to Hartford, CT. We lived near the Hartford Public Library and I would take out art books, one at a time, and do every exercise, the go get another art book. The art books were more technical at that time. All I wanted was to be the best artist that I could be. Later I took adult education classes and any art courses that were available, including courses at Central CT State University. Four mentors kept me moving forward. I am always learning! There is so much to learn, and new materials and techniques make it exciting.
I started teaching children's classes in 1956 and later taught art courses at East Hartford High School, four nights a week for eighteen years. I worked at AAA (25 years) and my hours changed so I had to give up the night classes, but I went to Blick Art Materials to teach classes in the daytime (22 years). I also taught art classes in the Hartford School system.
My specialty is painting animal portraits and portraiture. I have over sixty years of art / teaching experience. My favorite medium is watercolor, but also enjoy acrylics, oils, pastels, pen & ink, pencil and scratchboard. I have won many awards, and my paintings reside in fourteen states across the country. I paint under my art name P.R. Bailey.
In 2006, I opened the Farmington River School of Art, Plainville's premier school of art for adults, at 73 East Main Street, Plainville, CT. (860-965-1780). I have a wide range of experience to meet the demands of my students, as I encourage them to learn at their own pace toward reaching their goals.
Enjoy! P.R. Bailey (Abbe) Your purchase benefits Lucy and her CHS pet pals!
Thank you! CThumane.org
