Ever since she was given her first set of watercolors and oil paints, Marie C. Kirkwood discovered a form of expression that she never found anywhere else.  Discouraged by her parents from an art career, she became a dental technician still using her talent for carving and replicating in this field.  A need to explore her creativity more deeply in her later years led Marie to study with leading Brandywine artist, Karl J. Kuerner and leading Canadian Wildlife Artists, Robert Bateman and Terri Isaacs. After experimenting with many mediums she now favors oils and acrylics. She travels extensively, thoroughly researching her subject before she begins to paint, she strives to convey the subject’s spirit, courage, and strength. Her work is found in homes all over the world. Marie is retired from teaching art to special-needs adults. She lives in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania with her husband, Rick and their rescue dog, Yogi.