Doris Symens-Armstrong
"River Reflections"
Apr. 14 - May 30
Doris graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa with a degree in art education and moved to George, Iowa where she taught grades 1-12, starting the art program there. From there she moved to Pierre, working for the state, and then to Mobridge and Chamberlain, opening restaurants in both locations. Doris retired in 2005 and currently lives in Watertown, SD where she lets her creativity flow every day, painting and sculpting.
Doris has won the judge’s choice award at Dakota Masterworks in Sioux Falls in both 2D and 3D categories. She has shown her work in towns across South Dakota and has pieces of her work in several art collections across the country.
Artist's Statement
“River Reflections” is about the Missouri River and the towns next to it. I have lived up and down this river in Mobridge, Pierre, and Chamberlain. At one time my husband and I had also looked at a house in Yankton; considering moving there. My mother’s family migrated to the USA from Norway where they lived on the west coast in the Fjords area. I have certainly inherited that feeling of loving to be near water and hills.
When I respond to something in nature, I am moved to translate that feeling into art. Sometimes it is the exuberance of a child, the sun shining and casting shadows or the simplicity and beauty of a flower. To me, it is this emotional response that creates the need to do my art. The gift to create, as well as being able to respond to these feelings, comes from God, and my purpose in my art is to glorify His name by translating the beauty of His earth into something that all people can enjoy.
About the Artist
