Coila Evans's Bio

Coila Evans is an artist living in the small town of Roundup, Mt. Evans states, " I have been studying art as long as I can remember." She remembers spending the majority of her youth going to art shows and exhibits in the Downtown Dallas Arts District, working with the Drama club painting back drops for plays, and painting murals for projects in school. Her ties to Montana have brought her to the small town she now resides with her husband. The remoteness of Roundup, gives the artist time and opportunity to paint. She paints from life and photographs in the studio, as well as in the field "Plein Air". Her style is impressionistic, but with a sense of realism. Evans is known for painting with loose strokes and a variety of textures. Like a photograph, she likes to focus on the important details, i.e. eyes, hands, movement, etc. Evans likes to capture the viewers from afar with color and composition. This allows them to be embraced by the feeling of the details as they draw near. When they find themselves standing close they will see detail, light, texture, depth and emotion.

Coila Evans' education in colour began in 1995, when she began her career as a hair colour specialist. She worked for the International hair company Toni and Guy. She was an educator in that field, teaching students on a National and International level. Evans received the L'oreal Hair Colourist of the year award in 2001. This experience taught her to work with a team of people, putting together small and large scale hair/fashion shows, photo shoots, and educational workshops. Having this knowledge and experience in the field of hair color has helped transcend her love for color into the medium of oil painting she now works. Evans took her first painting class, from Colorado impressionist artist Coni Grant, in 2008. In 2010 she was invited to participate in a gestural drawing class in Two Dot, Mt., taught by the late artist Joyce Lee. She also learns from her friend and mentor, Joe Trakimas.

Although Evans has only been painting a short time, the strides she is making as a professional artist are gaining. Her work can be seen in several commercial venues in the Billings and Bozeman, Montana area. Evans' work is also in private collections in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Australia, and Japan.

Currently Coila Evans is working on commissions she receives from her patrons. She loves to volunteer at the local elementary school teaching art to the students. She is always impressed and inspired by the work these young artists create. Evans' feels this will foster growth, in the art community, she already sees budding. Finally, Evans continues to maintain the commitment made to herself, by furthering her education as an artist in business, with M.A.P. (Montana Artrepreneural Program). She plans to apply for her certification in the M.A.P. class in the Fall of 2012.

Artist Statement:

I study the human form I see within trees, and the soul found through the eye of a horse. I delight in the Pet Portraits for my patrons, love the depth found in people's persona's, and the way the season brings to my table fruits and flowers for my pleasure.

Medium: Mixed Media

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