“Birds, Botanicals & Butterflies,” an exhibit of the works of Maureen C. Berry, will be featured in The Exhibition Space on the east wall inside the Owensboro Convention Center through Oct. 6.
The Madisonville nature photographer, self-taught artist and author turned to visual art as therapy after a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in 2019.
Berry was a published cookbook author concerned about society’s impact on the natural environment before her diagnosis.
She wrote “Salmon from Market to Plate” in 2016 to help home cooks make sustainable choices at the supermarket.
Berry’s complementary podcast and speaking/cooking program, “Green Fish — Blue Ocean,” helped to raise awareness “while sharing the beauty of the ocean and its ecosystems,” Diane Huff,
curator of the Exhibition Space, said.
When her surgeries began, cooking became less appealing, Huff said.
So, Berry began working on her bucket list, going on an African safari which led to her debut solo exhibition, “Wild African Adventures in Art” at the Glema Mahr Art Gallery in Madisonville.
As she continued to battle cancer, she created a self-portrait series of paintings, “Girl on Fire,” which featured a warrior with flaming red hair and bright red lipstick.
It debuted last year at the SWIN Gallery in Evansville, in an exhibit, “Strong Women,” which was curated by Huff.
That exhibit showcased female artists who used their art in their battle with cancer.
Berry is now cancer-free.
Huff said “Birds, Botanicals and Butterflies” is “a new collection that showcases the delicate and abundant natural beauty closer to home in western Kentucky with vibrant watercolor paintings, detailed botanical renderings in pen and ink and mixed media moss wall art.”
There is no charge to view the art.
It will be on display anytime the convention center is open — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through as well as weekends and nights when other events are happening.
For more information about Berry, her art and her cookbooks, go to www.maureencberry.com.
