The artist creates artwork representing birds and fish through experimentation with texture, line and color to convey their movements and body structures. While birds are the main focus, she has also incorporated fish in her work after noticing a familiarity with them. She received a BFA in art education and teaches elementary school art while pursuing a master's degree through distance learning.

1. Artist Statement Most of the art that I create represents the beauty and grace of our fine-feathered friends. They are all around us every day and yet they mostly go unnoticed. Through experimentation with texture, line, and color, I hope to convey several characteristics of birds such as their movements and their graceful body structure. In my pieces, I try to include aspects of their habitats. However, the main focus is on birds’ body structures. The feelings that people have towards birds are also of interest to me and help inspire many of my works. Another subject matter of my art is fish. While working, I began to notice how often I incorporate fish. After realizing my new tendencies toward fish it became clear. I feel a familiarity with fish, which involves many different aspects of who they are and who I am. I realize that familiarity factors into my artistic decisions. Bio: Maryann Hopper In 2003 I received a BFA in Art Education from East Carolina University. After graduating, I taught art in Wilson County for three years and am now happily teaching art in Wake County at Pleasant Union Elementary School. I live in Raleigh with my husband, Brandon, and our cat, George. Recently, I have become a Graduate student through ECU’s distance education program and hope to have my Masters by the end of next year. In regards to art creation, I enjoy taking pictures, drawing, painting, and then using the resulting images in Photoshop to advance the creative process. My future plans are to develop my university education, continue teaching, and explore new artistic possibilities. Artist Statement Most of the art that I create represents the beauty and grace of our fine-feathered friends. They are all around us every day and yet they mostly go unnoticed. Through experimentation with texture, line, and color, I hope to convey several characteristics of birds such as their movements and their graceful body structure. In my pieces, I try to include aspects of their habitats. However, the main focus is on birds’ body structures. The feelings that people have towards birds are also of interest to me and help inspire many of my works. Another subject matter of my art is fish. While working, I began to notice how often I incorporate fish. After realizing my new tendencies toward fish it became clear. I feel a familiarity with fish, which involves many different aspects of who they are and who I am. I realize that familiarity factors into my artistic decisions. Bio: Maryann Hopper In 2003 I received a BFA in Art Education from East Carolina University. After graduating, I taught art in Wilson County for three years and am now happily teaching art in Wake County at Pleasant Union Elementary School. I live in Raleigh with my husband, Brandon, and our cat, George. Recently, I have become a Graduate student through ECU’s distance education program and hope to have my Masters by the end of next year. In regards to art creation, I enjoy taking pictures, drawing, painting, and then using the resulting images in Photoshop to advance the creative process. My future plans are to develop my university education, continue teaching, and explore new artistic possibilities. Artist Statement Most of the art that I create represents the beauty and grace of our fine-feathered friends. They are all around us every day and yet they mostly go unnoticed. Through experimentation with texture, line, and color, I hope to convey several characteristics of birds such as their movements and their graceful body structure. In my pieces, I try to include aspects of their habitats. However, the main focus is on birds’ body structures. The feelings that people have towards birds are also of interest to me and help inspire many of my works. Another subject matter of my art is fish. While working, I began to notice how often I incorporate fish. After realizing my new tendencies toward fish it became clear. I feel a familiarity with fish, which involves many different aspects of who they are and who I am. I realize that familiarity factors into my artistic decisions. Bio: Maryann Hopper In 2003 I received a BFA in Art Education from East Carolina University. After graduating, I taught art in Wilson County for three years and am now happily teaching art in Wake County at Pleasant Union Elementary School. I live in Raleigh with my husband, Brandon, and our cat, George. Recently, I have become a Graduate student through ECU’s distance education program and hope to have my Masters by the end of next year. In regards to art creation, I enjoy taking pictures, drawing, painting, and then using the resulting images in Photoshop to advance the creative process. My future plans are to develop my university education, continue teaching, and explore new artistic possibilities. Artist Statement Most of the art that I create represents the beauty and grace of our fine-feathered friends. They are all around us every day and yet they mostly go unnoticed. Through experimentation with texture, line, and color, I hope to convey several characteristics of birds such as their movements and their graceful body structure. In my pieces, I try to include aspects of their habitats. However, the main focus is on birds’ body structures. The feelings that people have towards birds are also of interest to me and help inspire many of my works. Another subject matter of my art is fish. While working, I began to notice how often I incorporate fish. After realizing my new tendencies toward fish it became clear. I feel a familiarity with fish, which involves many different aspects of who they are and who I am. I realize that familiarity factors into my artistic decisions. Bio: Maryann Hopper In 2003 I received a BFA in Art Education from East Carolina University. After graduating, I taught art in Wilson County for three years and am now happily teaching art in Wake County at Pleasant Union Elementary School. I live in Raleigh with my husband, Brandon, and our cat, George. Recently, I have become a Graduate student through ECU’s distance education program and hope to have my Masters by the end of next year. In regards to art creation, I enjoy taking pictures, drawing, painting, and then using the resulting images in Photoshop to advance the creative process. My future plans are to develop my university education, continue teaching, and explore new artistic possibilities.