We are proud to feature the cover art of Lubbock artist Renee Steger Simpson and join Simpson's ever growing watercolor series entitled "Snooty Women." Besides creating art and exhibiting in Taos, New Mexico and Lubbock, Texas, Simpson is a professional accountant.
   The Snooty Women Series grew out of a combination of professional relationships that began to germinate in her art in October of 1992, beginning with a few intuitive marks that quickly evolved into a form revealing her ironic feelings about particular people and situations. As of the year 2001, Simpson has been inspired to create over 85 watercolors in the series with most now on display in private as well as corporate collections.
   Simpson was raised in an artistic family. Her grandfather and mother were prolific painters, and the family spent a great dear of time in and around Taos, New Mexico, an environment that has been a continuous source of inspiration for her life and art. Simpson is as inspired by the New Mexico landscape and way of life as she is by the complicated personalities of women and also paints bold watercolors on topics and themes Southwest, as well as vibrantly expressive florals.She has had a love of watercolor since high school and continues to celebrate the medium for its infinite surprises. "I work primarily in watercolor," she explains, "because the unpredictability and challenge of the medium coincides with all of my expectations of creativity. Something exciting always happens."
   Today, Simpson divides her time between her private accounting practice and her art, often traveling to New Mexico to paint on location in Taos. In 2000, Simpson's watercolor Got Harley? was juried into the Texas Watercolor Society's 51st annual traveling exhibit. She is represented in Taos, New Mexico, by Bryan's Gallery and exhibits in galleries throughout Lubbock, Texas, including participation in numerous juries exhibitions by the Lubbock Art Association and One Woman Shows at Llano Estacado Winery.