Artist and WMU-Cooley graduate Elaine Charney unveiled “We the People,” a 33-inch by 27-inch watercolor to Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Tampa Bay campus Associate Dean Ron Sutton during a dedication on Friday, May 12. The work will remain permanently on display at the law school.
Pictured (left-right) Sarasota artist and former attorney Elaine Charney, WMU-Cooley Associate Dean Ron Sutton and WMU-Cooley Assistant Dean Katherine Gustafson at WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus during the dedication of Charney’s watercolor painting, “We the People,” on May 12.
“We the People” was the recipient of the Cutting Edge Award at the International Society of Experimental Artists Exhibition in 2016. The painting is founded upon abstract principles but also includes some representational realism.
During the dedication, Charney spoke to WMU-Cooley faculty, staff and students about the meaning behind her painting. First called “The Gathering,” it was later renamed “We the People” in honor of WMU-Cooley Law School and in recognition of today’s divided world.
Charney expressed her gratitude to the law school and how it influenced her life. She stressed the value of finding and pursuing a second passion after practicing law.
“I love law, but now I am 180 degrees different,” Charney said. “I went from the left side of the brain to the right side of the brain. When I first picked up a brush I went, oh my goodness, this is a calling.”
Charney served as an administrative law judge in Michigan and worked for the Department of Homeland Security before she turned to art as a career in 2006. She teaches beginning and intermediate through advanced watercolor classes for adult community enrichment at Suncoast Technical College. Charney was presented the Cutting Edge Award at the 2016 International Society of Experimental Artist. In 2015, her art was accepted into the National Art Exhibition-Punta Gorda and has received many awards for her work.
Charney earned her law degree at WMU-Cooley and studied art and watercolor design under Douglas H. Teller, professor emeritus, George Washington University.
Sarasota artist Elaine Charney speaks to WMU-Cooley Law School faculty, staff and students about the meaning behind her watercolor painting, “We the People,” which was unveiled on May 12 at the law school’s Tampa Bay campus.
We the People,” a 33-inch by 27-inch watercolor created by Sarasota artist Elaine Charney, was presented to WMU-Cooley Law School Tampa Bay campus Associate Dean Ron Sutton during a dedication on Friday, May 12.
info.cooley.edu/blog 
I’m now not certain the place you’re getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or figuring out more. Thank you for wonderful info I was searching for this info for my mission.
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.