School of Art and Design Alumni Exhibition 2021

Marcia Pyner

Graduated 1973

The Design Department at ECU catapulted me into a lifelong desire to make art, and to find my artistic place in the world. I am still evolving, even after all these years. Dorothy Satterfield, with just a twitch of her nose, could either produce sheer joy in me or utter disappointment during a critique. In 1973 very few women were graduating in Graphic Design, and I wanted to be one of them. We lost Dot last year, but I will always treasure her influence on my education and career. The day I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design, I became Art Director for Putt Putt Golf Courses of America, based in Fayetteville, NC. After that, I worked for McKinney, Silver, and Rockett Advertising in Raleigh, NC. I went on to receive an MFA in Communication Design from The University of Illinois in Chicago, and was happy to be inducted intoThe Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society. Later I gained an illustration representative in NYC and illustrated over 30 book jackets and other projects. It was indeed, sheer joy for me! As a fine artist, I continue to produce a variety of fine art paintings, all positive and hopefully inspiring. My work is displayed at www.marciapyner.com, along with a list of achievements. My most treasured one is Signature Membership Status with The International Society of Acrylic Painters.You can find me on Facebook at Marcia Pyner Illustration and Fine Art. Although I never wanted to teach, I have taught at every level and it has been quite a learning experience for me, honing my artistic skills as well as my perseverance and patience. As for my art, my primary medium has always been acrylic paint for its versatility and resilience. You could say my style is realistic with an illustrative flare. I wanted to become an artist as a child; and, my mother taught me to draw the only thing she knew how to draw, an angel. Today, I would be no where in my career or life if not for finding a personal relationship with God through Jesus! As I always told my students, ” Dream, pray, and take a step.” Who knows where my next artistic step will lead me? I do know that I do not walk alone.

Georgina Loves her Bees, Acrylic 16″ x 12″ x 1″, 2019