Biography

Charlotte Bailey Rierson

A life shaped by watercolor, Arkansas landscapes, faith, imagination, and generous service to the arts.

Art Spirit Journey

From lifelong arts involvement to a deeply expressive watercolor practice.

Throughout most of Charlotte Bailey Rierson’s life, she has been involved with the arts. She has lived much of her life in central Arkansas and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with an emphasis in art.

Her creative path includes private study from an early age, formal art study, many watercolor workshops with nationally recognized instructors, and years of community leadership. Her work reflects a love of atmosphere, texture, memory, spiritual feeling, and the beauty of the places around her.

Education

Graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Bachelor of Education degree, with an emphasis in art.

Watercolor Study

Studied with numerous nationally recognized watercolor instructors and explored techniques across media.

Collections

Works associated with significant Arkansas collections and exhibitions, including the Clinton Presidential Library and Arkansas Small Works on Paper.

Service

Served as an organizer, gallery coordinator, arts leader, docent, trustee, and advocate for artists across Arkansas.

Artist Statement

“Watercolor is my passion.”

I am from Jacksonville, Arkansas, and have had the advantage of living close to the Arkansas Arts Center and taking classes throughout my early years. In 1984 I married an Air Force officer and we lived in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1985 to 1990. Living in Europe gave me opportunities to study, travel to many art-related facilities, and broaden my knowledge and love of the arts. After which, we moved back to Arkansas and lived together until his passing.

I am newly remarried, living in Fairfield Bay where I never run out of beautiful painting subjects. I have studied different media and have found myself totally immersed in watercolor. Watercolor is my passion at this time of my art life.

Selected Curriculum Vitae

Education, exhibitions, awards, and arts leadership

The original biography was reorganized into readable sections, with year-by-year details preserved in collapsible groups so the page feels elegant rather than overwhelming.

Education & Study

Graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Bachelor of Education degree, emphasis in art, 1983.
Studied art privately from an early age.
Completed art course studies through institutions including the Arkansas Arts Center, Atlanta High Museum, San Antonio Art Institute, and Coastal Academy of Fine Arts in Port Isabel, Texas.
Participated in watercolor workshops with instructors including Steve Rogers, Mel Stabin, Ted Nuttall, Dan Burt, Melton Zornes, Paul Jackson, Catherine Anderson, Polly Hammett, Fred Rawlings, Sterling Edwards, Mark Mehaffey, Tony Couch, Margaret Martin, Soon Warren, Virginia Cobb, Hilary Page, Amy Hill Imler, and others.

Awards & Recognition

2014

Exhibited at The Repertory Theatre production of Les Misérables, Little Rock.
Exhibited at North Central Arkansas Art Gallery, Fairfield Bay.
Won Bronze Award in the Arkansas League of Artists Members Show for Back Street Canyon Road.
Presented one-woman art exhibit Art Spirit Journey at Searcy Art Gallery.

2013

Two paintings juried into the Mid-Southern Watercolorists Spring Show; received second place.
Featured in Arkansas Life magazine.
Won third place in watercolor category at Conway League of Artists Members Show.
Presented one-woman exhibit at Fairfield Bay Library.
Juried into the Illinois River Society Show at Compton Gardens, Bentonville.
Accepted position as Coordinator for the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery, Fairfield Bay.

2012

Juried into Arkansas Small Works on Paper, sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council, with Winter of Mysteries Series #V.
Won a blue ribbon in the juried Mustard Tree Arts Festival for Mysteries Revealed.
Featured with Ellen Kelly in Artisans of the Ozarks Vol. II.

2011

One of four featured artists in the Art Gallery & Studio at Fairfield Bay Village Mall.
Won first in watercolor, first in acrylic, and third in dry media at Indian Hills Arkansas Heritage Art Show Competition.
Juried into Hot Springs Fine Art Center’s Diamond National Art Competition.
Juried into the Arkansas League of Artists Juried Exhibit and received signature membership.
Received second place in water-based media and honorable mention in acrylic at the Tri-County Show sponsored by Conway Artist League.

2010

Juried into Small Works on Paper, sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council, for Winter Splendor.
Paintings included in A Gathering of Artists by Chenxu.
Juried into Mustard Tree Art Competition with Jesus is the Light.
Juried into the Governor’s Mansion Exhibit with Stream of Light.
Won second place in floral category at Thea Foundation with Evanescent Beauty.
Participated in the 1st Annual Arkansas League of Artists Juried Show at Arkansas Studies Institute.
Ribbon cutting for Art Gallery & Studio, Fairfield Bay, where she was one of four featured artists.

2009–2007

One-woman exhibit at Arkansas Heritage Art Museum, Leslie, Arkansas.
One-woman exhibit at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
One-woman exhibit at Community Art Gallery, First Service Bank, Clinton, Arkansas.
Juried into Mid-Southern Watercolorists Annual Exhibition at the Butler Center, Little Rock.
The Beginnings became part of the Clinton Library Permanent Collection.
Juried into Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Calendar Book with Mid Night Arrival.

2006–2003

Participated in exhibitions at Next Door Gallery, Common Grounds, The Repertory Theatre, Cantrell Gallery, Mid-Southern Watercolorists exhibits, St. Vincent’s Doctors Hospital, and other Arkansas venues.
One-woman exhibit at Cleburne County Arts Council Gem Theatre Art Gallery.
Brought into the Light entered the Clinton Library Permanent Collection and was exhibited in Little Rock.
Juried into Arkansas Arts Council Small Works on Paper.
Simple Life with Big Values selected for the Arkansas Artist Exhibit at the National Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Leadership & Community Service

North Central Arkansas Art Gallery Coordinator, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, 2006–2014.
President of Mid-Southern Watercolorists, 2005–2006.
Community Trustee of the Arkansas Arts Center, 2005–2009.
North Central Arkansas Foundation for the Arts & Education “You Make a Difference” Award, 2001–2002.
Arkansas Arts Council Governor’s Arts Award, Art Community, 1998.
North Central Arkansas Foundation for the Arts & Education Lifer’s Hall of Fame Award, 1996.
Governor’s Volunteer Excellence Award.
Leadership Arkansas, 1991.
Mid-Southern Watercolorists Regional Advisor Director, 2006–2014.
Past art coordinator for the Senior Citizen Center, Fairfield Bay Library Gallery, and community municipal exhibit.
Past volunteer Executive Director for the North Central Arkansas Foundation of the Arts & Education.
Former docent for the High Museum in Atlanta and the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock.
Trained in art museum management with Townsend Wolfe.
Honorary board member of the Arkansas League of Artists.

Selected Watercolor Exhibitions & Venues

Charlotte’s exhibition history includes one-woman, duo, juried, member, community, and ongoing exhibits across Arkansas and beyond.

Arts Organizations & Affiliations

Mid-Southern Watercolorists
Artworks, The Repertory Theatre, Little Rock
Arkansas Artist Registry
LRarts, Little Rock
Arkansas League of Artists
North Central Arkansas Foundation for the Arts & Education
North Central Arkansas Artist League
Cleburne County Art Foundation
Conway League of Artists
Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock
Hot Springs Fine Art Center
Fine Art America
Missouri Art Society

My Secret Place by Charlotte Bailey Rierson

Legacy

A biography worthy of the art.

This page presents Charlotte’s story with the same spirit found in her work: layered, warm, graceful, and full of light.

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