Painted Pumpkin Chair
by Artist Connie Andrews

Bio: Connie Andrews is a painter/sculptor that resides in Morton with her daughter, Ruby, 2 cats and a dog. She does commissioned art and teaches oil painting at the park district and sculpture at her studio in Peoria.

About the chair: Connie said her daughter Autumn, found this intricately carved chair in a little second-hand store in Eureka. She went on to say “As soon as I saw it, I knew the space in the middle was begging to be painted. Immediately I envisioned a fall scene with a pumpkin colored velour on the seat. Probably has something to do with the fact that I live in Morton and the Pumpkin Fest season was right around the corner.”

First, she painted the pumpkin and a few other little spots in acrylic paint. Then using her skills as a former auto upholsterer, she covered the wood seat in a rust colored orange velour. Most recently she completed paintings for some of the first murals in downtown Morton. She has done artwork for the Morton Marching band for the last 6 years, including a chair commemorating the band in the first Chair-ity event a couple of years ago.

Some highlights of her artistic career include: In 2016, Connie was honored to be nominated as a finalist for Best Visual Artist in Peoria. Also, in 2016, she was one of 5 artists, out of over 160, chosen for the 1st ArtPop competition here in Peoria that awards a yearlong spot on a billboard in downtown Peoria. Another recent project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which has gained national attention from Smithsonian Magazine and other media, is a larger than life sculpture she was chosen to paint, inspired by the American Gothic painting of a farmer and his daughter, by Grant Wood. She has been in and received awards in numerous juried art shows in Central Illinois, Chicago and around the country, including the International Colored Pencil Society show in Seattle. Connie’s art is in a growing number of homes and business around the United States and Germany.

Please visit the website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram to see more of her art. www.connieandrews.com 309-231-7509