"All of my paintings are expressions of my love of the land and it's inhabitants. I find myself reliving my interactions with them and translating my respect for them as I develop each of my works. "Since early childhood, I have always felt an affinity towards nature. My family and I would often go hiking. As a result of those experiences, I gained an appreciation for the beauty, fragility, and diversity within nature. Wild life and nature continued to inspire me as I grew older, while developing my talent and interests in drawing and painting." Born in Germany, Thea Flanagan studied at the University of Maine, Keane College and Pennsylvania State University after receiving a BS in Art Education from Mansfield University. She taught junior and senior high art in Pennsylvania and Maine prior to turning her attention to fine art in 1986. With a fondness for texture, Thea began as a fiber artist. After experimentation with various media, she came to rely on acrylic and now oil to produce the effects she desires in her work. The infinite patterns of landscapes and wildlife have become her framework. "Here in Maine I feel fortunate for having access to it's variety of landscapes and ecosystems. Throughout the year, especially during migratory seasons, I avail myself of these resources for observations and studies. In my studio, compositions are developed for my paintings based upon this field work." She is a signature member of the Worldwide Nature Artists Group and co-director of the Coastal Fine Arts Alliance of Maine - an association of Maine artists presenting their works in coastal outdoors gallery settings. This non-profit organization donates a portion of show proceeds to the host community. Thea has won numerous awards for her work including First Place in the 1990 Maine Waterfowl Stamp Competition, Honorable Mention at the Maine State Governor's Gallery Wildlife Art Show, and Grand Prize for Region I in the 2000 National Arts For the Parks competition.   EXHIBITS: One of 100 Top Artists for the "Arts For the Parks" International Competition — 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000. 1993, 1992, 1990 "Fin, Feather and Fur" at Maine Art Gallery, Wiscasset, ME -- July 8 - Aug. 8, 2004 "Top 25" Wyoming Ducks Unlimited art competition --- Charles d'Lou Wildlife Gallery, Jackson, WY --- March 2004 One of 50 Top Artists for the "Arts For the Parks" Mini 50 International Competition — 2002 Winner of the Grand Prize for Region I "Arts For the Parks Top 100" — 2000 "Culture and Agriculture" juried show at New Visions Gallery in Marshfield, WI — April 1998 Academic Artists Association 44th National Exhibition in Springfield, MA — April to May 1994 "Water and its Wonders" National Juried Show at the Art Gallery of Fells Point Inc. in Baltimore, MD — March 1994 "State of the Art ‘93" - New England Art Expo in Boston, MA — May 1993 "Realism Up Close" at Massey Fine Arts, Santa Teresa, NM — December 1993 to January 1994 National Oil and Acrylic Society Exhibit ‘92 in Osage Beach and St. Louis, MO — November to December 1992 Partners in Flight Traveling Expo Competition in NH — October 1992 to September 1993 Immaculata College Invitational in Immaculata, PA — February 1991 - 2001 Governor's Gallery Juried Wildlife Show in Augusta, ME — December 1989 to February 1990 (Honorable Mention) Center for the Arts in Bath, ME — February 1988 "Hole in the Wall" Gallery in the University of Maine at Orono, ME — February 1987   AWARDS: First Place - Region I Award in the "Arts For the Parks" competition in Jackson Hole, WY — September 2000 Best in Show - Art in the Park, South Portland, ME — August, 1996 First Place - Landscape in the Maine Artists Gallery in Orono, ME — April 1994 First Place - "Water and its Wonders" juried show, Art Gallery of Fells Point, Inc., Baltimore, MD – 1994 Best in Show - Bangor Art Festival in Bangor, ME — July 1993 Third Place - "Realism Up Close" at Massey Fine Arts, Santa Teresa, NM — 1992People's Choice Award - National Oil and Acrylic Society Exhibit ‘92 in Osage Beach and St. Louis, MO — 1992 First Place - 1990 Maine Waterfowl Stamp Competition Third Place - Acrylics/Oils in the 1990 Maine Open in Waterville, ME Third Place - Landscape in the 1990 Maine Artist Gallery in Orono, ME   CORPORATE COLLECTIONS: Harbor Consultants International, Inc. - Washington, D.C. and Brussels, Belgium Whitfield Russell Associates - Washington, D.C. Dewey Ballantine, LLP - Washington, D.C. Balsam Environmental Consultants Inc. - Salem, NH Dunnegan Gallery of Art - Bolivar, MO Illinois Bell - Chicago, IL National Park Foundation - Washington, D.C. Genesis Wellness House, Korea World Trade Center - Seoul, Korea MBNA America Health Benefits Fund, Hotel Trades Council and Association of New York City Inc.

 

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