An Exhibition of Extraordinary Art by Women
March 6 – May 6, 2023
It is an honor and pleasure to present our annual “HerStory” exhibitions to promote art by extraordinary women artists from around the world. The “HerStory” 2023 exhibition featured 74 artists and ran from March 6 – May 6, 2023. The list of all exhibiting artists are on this page.
We have kept several works of art from the exhibition on this page. Take time to savor every single work of art and read the artists’ statements. Then visit the artists’ websites.
Our Purpose for the “HerStory” Exhibition: For centuries women artists have inspired and enlightened us with their enormous talent, vision and commitment. Many have served as creative trailblazers in their chosen styles and mediums. Their contributions have gone under-recognized and they haven’t received the accolades they deserve. We will continue to present annual “HerStory” exhibitions until there is a fair and equal balance of women artists represented by art museums, galleries, art book publishers, major private and public collections, auction houses, and the media.
Statement from the Curator: As the curator my judging process is deliberate and thorough. The artists I select for our online gallery and our exhibitions create superior works of art. Furthermore, they comply with professional career standards. Before making my final selections I visit all entrants’ websites in order to view their overall portfolios, and read their resumes, biographies and artists’ statements. The artists with the highest scores are chosen and are given extensive international exposure and promotion. ~ Renee Phillips, Curator
Banner image: Art by Sandy Iseli, Nancy Natow-Cassidy and Beamie Young
Copyright: All rights reserved. Do not reproduce images without the artist’s permission.
Please visit the artists’ websites to view more of their art and to find out how to purchase it.
Leah Poller
On Her Mind, from “Woman Warrior Series”, bronze, 24.5″ x 15″ x 10″
Recipient of the “Outstanding Woman Artist Achievement Award”.
Read the Interview with Leah Poller
I sculpt from live subjects. Before commencing, we spend days of quiet conversation, sharing stories and life experiences. From the innermost thoughts of my subjects, I transform their essence, revealing the ‘inside to the outside’, creating a surrealistic/metaphysical presence in the adornment of headdresses and attire. By seeking the soul behind the eyes of my subject, I create “soul catchers” of their beingness, rather than portraits of their likeness. leahpoller.com
Leah Poller is a Chairperson for New York Society of Women Artists, and also a member of New York Artists Circle and Women’s Caucus for the Arts.
Maryann Burton
Alternate Side of the Street Parking, transparent watercolor, 17″ x 24″
Recipient of the “Outstanding Woman Artist Achievement Award”.
Read the Interview with Maryann Burton
Creating a painting begins with how I perceive the world around me. Inspiration comes from the play of light, creating and dissipating color, absorbed or reflected. It’s a challenge to express these effects on paper. The feel of painting with transparent watercolor thrills me. Its unpredictability is part of the fun. Whether evoking a feeling or memory, imparting a sense of peace or joy, or reminding the viewer of something familiar, I like to make an emotional connection. maryannburton.com
Maryann is the Recording Secretary for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, and Chair of its Benefit Reception for the Metropolitan Museum of Art American Wing Travel Fund.
Nanette Fluhr
Manu, oil, 30″ x 24″
Recipient of the “Outstanding Woman Artist Achievement Award”.
Read the Interview with Nanette Fluhr
My life’s endeavor is to create beautiful and meaningful art. Representational portraiture is my principal avenue in that pursuit. It is the challenge of capturing a faithful likeness of my sitter, which I firmly believe must include the articulation of their persona, that I find most compelling. Each painting is an opportunity to discover the truth of an individual’s essence; to capture their soul, not just their likeness. I draw my inspiration from Masters such as Rembrandt and Le Brun. nanettefluhr.com
Nanette is an active member of several organizations including American Women Artists where she is an Associate with Distinction and winner of their Distinguished Achievement Award for Portraiture and The Cecilia Beaux Forum (A Committee of the Portrait Society of America Devoted to Women in the Arts). She has participated in many other professional activities that advance the status of women artists.
Ruth Soller
Cottonwood Creek Grand Teton National Park, oil on linen, 24″ x 30″
I create my oil paintings of National Parks and western landscapes in a contemporary modernist style inspired by travel and plein air studies. My paintings are built up in layers of oil paint on a sienna-toned linen or canvas. Once varnished my paintings take on a translucent depth akin to stained glass. My gift of creative communication occurs as my art is seen and experienced by others. ruthsoller.com
Sandra Duran Wilson
365 Days, acrylic 12″ x 9″
My curiosity drives my inspiration. Science and joy blend together and push my explorations in mixed media. I am a synesthete which means the senses become mixed and intertwined in my mind. Sounds appear in colors; numbers sing songs and frequencies dance in my head. My art is a blending of sounds, science, and nature, and it is driven by the possibilities of what materials can do, especially when combined in unusual ways. sandraduranwilson.com
Sandra is a member of Society of Layerists in Mixed Media and New Mexico Women in the Arts.
Bren Sibilsky
Her Ancestor’s Dream, clay for bronze, 32″ x 23″ x 7.5″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
Her Ancestor’s Dream – She’s her ancestors dream… Deep within her bloodline she carries the song of a long forgotten message, a link to the past reflecting into the future. She has maneuvered boundaries unknown to her ancestors, carrying the weight of the future yet to manifest. Gifting a vision, the bestowed favor of a new version, she’s Grandmother’s advancing story of resilience. Intuitively she follows the trail in Elders sacred lands to the aspirations of tomorrow’s generations. brensculpture.com
Beamie Young
Time Will Tell, photography, 20″ x 20″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
Through the use of double exposure, compositing, and photoshop I strive to create images that imply various narratives, many involving time. Spacetime is one of the great mysteries of existence and is one of the favorite themes. We all experience the passage of time in different ways and I hope to explore this complexity. beamie.smugmug.com
Nancy Natow-Cassidy
Calm, acrylic on canvas, 60″ x 59″
Color makes me happy. I literally breathe deeper and my heart expands in the presence of color and light. Living near lake, forest and dunes, I drink in glints of light on water, shadows through forests, and the energy of open space. Moving with sticks gathered in the woods, I extend the reach of my body before painting. I move, exploring color and shape as energy and vibration, and gestures express themselves in pigment. nancynatowcassidy.com
Nancy is a member of Women’s Caucus for Art.
Diane Fleisch Hughes
Broken Promises, mixed media on canvas, 24″ x 20″
I was in an airport in South Africa when a headline on a newspaper caught my eye – “No Country For Women ” in big bold letters. I immediately thought it was an article outlining the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States, which had just happened. Instead, it was an article about a community in South Africa that was devastated by domestic violence against women. This painting portrays women as warriors, forever struggling to rise above. dianefleischhughes.com
Diane is a member of American Women Artists.
Sandy Iseli
Marshland, acrylic on canvas, 39” x 39”
It’s all about nature! I paint with acrylics on canvas and love vibrant colors. Each painting is a journey to an unknown destination and it’s exciting to see where it takes me. Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. It makes me happy when my paintings heighten the awareness of the viewers to celebrate the infinite beauty of nature and the importance of taking care of our world. My landscapes invite viewers to enjoy moments of peace and serenity through the connection to nature. sandyiseli.com
Laurie Waite-Fellner
Sylvia Has a Beer, oil paint on canvas, 50″ x 24″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
I have been an artist forever, but I’ve taken myself more seriously in the last ten years or so. I was very interested in painting portraits, and then started adding some dimension or added images to tell more of a story and add interest to the work. Then I decided to use a mannequin to represent the perfect woman in our society. I would put her in different situations that reflected my own, and probably a lot of women’s experiences. lauriesartwork.com
Yvonne Welman
Communication, mixed media on canvas, 39.37″ x 27.55″
In an old family heirloom I discovered postcards from approximately 1912. Back then people in love did send each other postcards with stamps glued upside down or side ways etc.They wrote under the post stamps words like – hugs, – lots of kisses. In the painting I did use the actual cards. The writing on the backside, the lovers of Magritte holding cellphones , emoji’s. Made a new one rebellion extinction for love of our earth. I tried to capture the changing in the love language. yvonne-welman.com
Yvonne is a member of Plan International Girls First.
Nancy Pane Fortwengler
Flamenco, soft pastel, 22″ x 28″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
Celebrating the tenacity and unshakeable spirt of women, the figurative dresses and historical garments demand attention for their powerful presence. Painted in multiple transparent layers, the viewer is asked to look beneath the surface of what suggests a fragile woman to see her steely core. Based on the movement and strength of ballerinas, the disembodied dresses are personas in their own right, symbolizing every woman. nancypanefortwengler.com
Sandra Belitza-Vazquez
Woman and Child in Luxor, Egypt, photography, 16″ x 20″
I love to capture images of people involved in activities of daily life bathed in beautiful light set in ordinary but fascinating cultural landscapes. I consider searching for these fascinating cultural landscapes an adventure of discovery. The surrounding landscape or background can conjure up numerous stories capturing our attention and fostering reflective thought. Bringing pleasing compositions of ordinary life to a viewer’s attention helps us understand that everyday lives can tell complex stories. sbvaz.com
Natalie Oliphant
Eveline, sculpture, 44” x 21” x 27”
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
As an artist I repurpose discarded items, committed to saving items from the landfill and letting their beauty live on. In my mannequin body forms I create portals to my memories. My themes are not exclusive to my life. We all need to feel a connection to someone or something… to feel compassion and deep empathy. Emotion can be read in body language. Posture and position of the human physique reveals a relatable story. The pain of infertility, the deep sadness of rejection, the cutting emotion of grief are recognized and celebrated in each of my works. natalieoliphantart.ca
Nathalie is a member of Philanthropic Education Organization, Medicine Hat Chapter.
Gwen Roberts
Aftermath of the Hunt, sanded charcoal on paper, 13.5″ x 16″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
My perceptions of reality are fractured by my flaws. I sabotage myself with criticism and remonstrate with my defects undermining any self-care and replace it with what I think is tough love. As I endeavour to understand my compulsions and discern the irrationalities I seek refuge in art with a palpable presence of emotions. I observe life’s grace and recreate its essence creating a safe place for difficult emotions. There is my intent, the meaning is down to you. gwenroberts.com
Agnes Jorgensen
The Masquerade, oil on canvas, 36″ x 24″
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
What fears are behind the mask? Fear is constraining. And the fears I take so seriously in life feels like battling a fire-breathing dragon in a princess costume. I am learning that just because a conditioned fearful thought appears doesn’t mean it’s true. My journey with fear is to let my attention rest, be open and focus on the present moment. This is where peace lies. jorgensenart.com
Agnes is a member of Successful Female Entrepreneurs.
Renata Bosnjak
Grandma, oil on canvas, 24” x 30”
Recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award For Creating Meaningful Art About Women. Read this Featured Article.
In my life, my work has made me realize that a painting is worth a thousand words. In this idea of art, I’ve been able to use my own abilities to depict a story that not only projects a new life, but also includes my own experiences. My artwork tends to gravitate towards the images of people and their emotions. Not only do I use real photos as a reference for my work, but I include my own interpretation into the thoughts, feelings, and even life of the person I am able to create. renatabosnjak.com
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Thank you, Renee for curating this absolutely beautiful exhibition. I was filled with joy when I found out my art would be included with all of the amazingly talented artists I’ve admired from many of your previous exhibitions.
The beauty, love and care each women offers the world through their heartfelt words and beautiful creations is inspiring and I’m thrilled and honored to be joining them.
Thank you for all you do to promote healing and beauty through art.
What an amazing and meaningful exhibition of artwork from incredibly talented women.
Thank you Renee for curating another incredible show – I am honored to be among the voices of these artists.
Diane
Beautiful collection of artwork!!
“Her Story” is a wonderful collection of artwork. These curated exhibits are always an inspiration to me! I am honored and grateful that you have accepted my painting and that I am a part of “Her Story 2023”. Thank you Rene for your support of the arts and creativity!
It’s an honor to be in this powerful exhibit with artwork from extraordinary women around the world! The time and care you put into curating this shows; I love the diversity of the art and the way it is displayed with stories of all of the artists!
What an amazing collection of artwork from so many talented women. I feel deeply connected to each artist as I read their sincere and powerful words over and over again.
Thank you Renee for putting together another extraordinary exhibition and shining a bright light on women artists.
It is an honour for me to be part of this exhibition sharing our heartfelt stories and inspiring each other.
Agnes, Thank you for your positive feedback about “HerStory”. Your exceptional painting “The Masquerade’ and your statement that accompanies it is a perfect addition to this exhibition.
Extraordinary works!
Thank you for your comment. I totally agree!
I’m very happy to be included in this exhibition with so many other excellent artworks. Very nice large images and the blurb about each artist with website is easily accessible. Thank you to Renee Phillips and all who put this together!
Lynette, I adore your painting “Meerkats With Scorpion”. Thank you for submitting it to “HerStory”. I appreciate your kind words about the care that goes into designing the show. It is a labor of love for me.
I’m sitting here alone, scrolling down and exclaiming out loud to myself, “Oh, this is incredible…this is phenomenal…look at all these talented, sensitive women.” I’m so honored to be in their company.
Andrea, Thank you for submitting your art that brings love and light to the world!
Stunning work. Many new artists with exceptional vision and technique. Thank you, Renee.
Sandra, thank you for sharing your inspirational artwork!
Gorgeous exhibition! Truly exceptional ✨
Thank you Kathleen, of course I agree. 🙂