Artist Alley in downtown Southern Pines hosts local artist Marie Travisano for an opening Saturday, April 10. Travisano will be present throughout the day to meet with visitors and discuss her artwork.

Marie Travisano’s artwork is bright, fluid and full of dynamic energy. The same description could be applied to Travisano herself.

“I’ve always loved art,” she says. “I am very inspired by light and color.”

Travisano studied art formally at Rutgers University, the Art Center of the Oranges, the Montclair Museum, the Newark Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and with Janet Burgess, an abstract expressionist. For many years her artwork took a back seat to a successful business career, and to the artwork of her late husband, Ben, a gifted sculptor.

“Even though he encouraged me to work, I was always the artist in the background,” she says. “After his death, I was encouraged by some friends to submit two watercolors to the Fine Arts Festival. I did. To my surprise, both pieces were singled out. I was so inspired that I started creating, which led to showing and selling. Since then I have had many successful solo and group shows.”

Travisano has shown her work all over the Sandhills in many local galleries and has received numerous awards at the Fine Arts Festival at the Campbell House and through the Artists League. She works primarily in watercolor because of the freedom and looseness it allows.

“I have and can work realistically, but I prefer not to,” she says. “I feel the way I work is exciting. I’m always experimenting, while doing so discovered my unique style. I describe my work as expressionist, but it is sometimes abstract. I also love creating collage.”

Travisano says she loves living in Moore County and calls it “a paradise.” She is inspired by the beauty in nature, people, music and animals. A number of her pieces are on display at Artist Alley, and she is looking forward to sharing them with visitors at her April 10 opening.

Artist Alley features the work of more than 50 North Carolina artists and craftspeople. If you are unable to attend the opening, visit the gallery during regular hours, Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located in downtown Southern Pines, one block east of the train station, at 167 E. New Hampshire Ave.

For more information about the First Friday opening or the gallery call Jean Skipper at (910) 692-6077.