Isabelle Scurry Chapman

 

My father was a doctor; he saved hearts.  My mother had a green thumb and grew white flowers in her garden; they glowed in the darkness.  I practice art, which is a great healer of all things.

 

My work has been shaped by the losses in my life. Each new disaster brought a pivotal invention to my art. In 1992, I lost my balance. I broker my ankle in a roller-skating accident and my days were suddenly horizontal. Being an active hiker, biker, river raft explorer, beachcomber, this stuck-on-the-first floor position took my breath away. It also swept me along from photography to painting.

 

With every loss, I have received something of equal of greater value in return.  This cyclical renewal is what my art is about. I’m interested in ecologies large and small, relationships far and near, and discoveries mundane and sacred. 

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2007    Koelsch Gallery, Houston, Texas

2007    “Winged Whimsy”, Embellishments, Houston, Texas

2007     Buchanan Gallery, Galveston, Texas

2005    “Dirty Little Birds”, Embellishment, Houston, Texas

2004     Buchanan Gallery, Galveston, Texas

2003     The Arts Alliance Center At Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Texas

2002    “Quiet Voices”, The Michelson Museum of Art, Marshall, Texas

2001    “Silence to the Center”,  Jung Center, Houston, Texas

2000   “Isabelle Scurry Chapman, New Work”,  Women and Their Work, Austin, Texas (2 Person)

           “Isabelle Scurry Chapman, New Work”, Rice Loft Building, Houston, Texas

1999   “Under the Moon”, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston Island, Texas

1997    “In the Gardens of My Mind”, UT Health Science Center of Houston, Houston, Texas

1995    “Angels and Goddesses”, MCT Fine Arts, Houston, Texas

1992    “Isabelle Scurry Chapman: Photos”, Lee Davis Library, San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas

 

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

2001   “Texas National 2001”, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas

           “Dishman Competition, 2001”, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas

2000   “Houston Area Show”, Blaffer Gallery, Houston, Texas

           “3rd  International Open”, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

          “Texas Art 2000”, Williams Tower Gallery, Houston, Texas

1999  “1999 Membership Exhibition”, Women And Their Work, Austin, Texas

          “Critic’s Choice”, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

          “Is This a Joke or What”, O’Kane Gallery, Houston, Texas

1998  “20 x 20” x 20”, LSU Union Art Gallery, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

          “Bucking the Texas Myth III”, Dougherty Arts Center, Austin, Texas

          “Critic’s Choice”, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

          “Lubbock Arts Festival Gallery”, Lubbock, Texas (Merit Award Winner)

1996     “Critic’s Choice”, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

1995    “Open Show”, Art League, Houston, Texas (Prize Winner)

1994  “VAA 11th Annual  Show”, NationsBank, Houston, Texas

1993  “Human Ritual”, Gallery 201, Austin, Texas (Juror’s Choice)

          “Running Water Draw Exhibition”, RWD Gallery, Plainview, Texas    

          “Heritage”, Art League, Houston, Texas

          “VAA 10th Annual Show, Two Houston Center, Houston, Texas

          “Dishman Competition”, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas (Honorable Mention)

1992    “Assuming Less..Understanding More”, Innova, Houston, Texas (Award Winner)

“Art League of Houston Exhibit”, Houston, Texas

“Texas Photographic Society Exhibit”, Amdur Gallery, Austin, Texas

“MFP Photo National Traveling Exhibit”, Michigan

 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2006   “Bestiray”.  Froelick Gallery, Portland, Oregon

2005   “Summer Group Show”. Buchanan Gallery, Galveston, Texas

2001   “The Debut Exhibition”, Art Venture Gallery, Houston, Texas

           “Spring Show”, The Artful Garden, Houston, Texas

2000   “Sextablo”, Redbud Gallery, Houston, Texas

1998    “Small Format Four”, Humanities Fine Arts Gallery, Univ. of Minnesota, Morris, Minnesota

1997  “Women on Women”, New Art Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Really Red Show”, West End Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Flora Bella”, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, Texas

“Classically Inspired”, Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Whimsical Women”, Takara Gallery, Houston, Texas

1996    “New Paintings”, MCT Fine Arts, Houston, Texas

“Images in Nature V”, Martin-Rathburn Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

1995    “Samantha’s Garden”, McMurtrey Gallery, Houston, Texas

1994 “Anonymous”, West End Gallery, Houston, Texas

          “Miniatures”, Hooks-Epstein Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Wish You Were Here”, West End Gallery, Houston, Texas

“The Art of Giving”, Wiezbowski Gallery, Houston, Texas

1993    “Images of Nature II”, Martin-Rathburn Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

“Dia de los Muertos”, Lawndale Art & Performance Center, Houston, Texas

“Art That Heals”, Treebeard’s Restaurant & Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Take a Seat”, Decorative Center, Houston, Texas

1992    “Goddesses, Witches & Saints, Firehouse Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Have a Heart”, Art league of Houston, Houston, Texas

“Dia de los Muertos, Lawndale Art & Performance Center, Houston, Texas

“Taking a Stand”, Firehouse Gallery, Houston, Texas

“Desperately Seeking Perfection: Women & Self Image”, Firehouse Gallery, Houston, Texas

 

AWARDS

1999   The Wayfinding Project, Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County

1998  PASTA Grant given by Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County

1994    MAA/NEA Fellowship in Painting and Works on Paper

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2007     Molly Glentzer, “Winged Whimsy , Houston Chronicle, June 23, 2007, Pg E-8

2006     Valerie Sweeten, “Urban Harvest”, West University Buzz, March, 2006, Cover, pg 8-9

2003     Victoria  Lightman, Looking At Art, Houston House & Home, July, 2003. Pgs.28-29

2002    Adam Giblin, Red River Radio (NPR), Shreveport, La., 3-28-02

            Leslie Bailey, “Houston Artist’s Work on display at Michelson”, Marshall News Messenger, 4-1-02

            Artist’s Graphic Designers Market, Edited by  Mary Cox, pg. 505

2001    Texas National Catalog, 3 photos, pg. 14

2000    Cite, The Architecture & Design Review of Houston, #47, Spring, 2000  pp. 4-5

           Art Now Gallery Guide, February, 2000, Volume 19,No.6, p.22 Color Photo “Awaken I”

           Saundra Goldman, Isabelle  Scurry Chapman, New Work Brochure , Women  and Their Work

           Jeanne Claire Van Ryzin, “Fashioned Out of Loss, Memory, and Buttons”

  Austin American Statesman, March 18, 2000

1999  Critic’s Choice Catalog, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

           “Catalog Is This A Joke Or What?”, O’Kane Gallery. Houston, Texas

          “The Good News”, Houston Texas, photo & article pg 4

1998  Victoria Hodge Lightman, “A Garden Pew, Houston Sidewalk, October 1, 1998

          “Lubbock Festival Gallery”, Lubbock Magazine, April

          Critic’s Choice Catalog, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

          C. Larson, “Small Format Four Hits HFA Gallery, University Register, Morris, Minn., 2-12-98

1997    Critic’s Choice Catalog, Dallas Visual Arts Center, Dallas, Texas

Mid America Arts Alliance/NEA Catalog

1996    Sabine Lake Conference Color Poster, Brochure, and Flyer Covers, September, Beaumont, Texas

1994  Susie Kalil, “Wink Wink”, Houston Press, March 24-30

1993  “Human Rituals”, Photo, Austin American Statesman, October 16

1992  “Eyes”, Photo,  Houston Press, December 10-16

“Assuming Less… Understanding More” Catalog, Innova Design Center, Houston, Texas

 

VOLUNTEER WORK

1997-Present –  Urban Harvest Garden, Houston, Texas

2001-Present --  ART BRIDGE, an art program for homeless kids, Houston, Texas

2006  -- Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Work with Art Bridge

EDUCATION

1986-89 Studies in Art, University of Houston, Rice University, Glassell School of Art, Houston,                          

               Texas

1975     MS (Occupational Therapy) – Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas

1970       BA (Sociology) – University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi

 

  

6609A Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-739-BLUE (2583), www.theceruleangallery.com