CHARRON MCFADDEN
Rio Rancho, NM 87144

After raising her family, Charron joined the business world in 1983, and worked as an executive assistant for a number of businesses in the Chicago area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from North Central College, Naperville, Illinois, and a Master of Arts degree in Media Studies from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois. She has taught Mass Media and documentary/TV production at North Central College and for the Aurora Public Art Commission in Aurora, Illinois. Her production credits include: "Part and Parcel of Nature," a documentary about the prairie reconstruction project at Fermilab in Batavia, IL (2002); "Do You See What I See", an informational video for Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind (2001); the "Henry Gurler" section of "DeKalb Stories", produced by Northern Illinois University (1999).; and, "GAR" a documentary about the restoration of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall: Aurora Post 20, for Aurora's Lincoln Bi-Centennial celebration (2009).

Between family, her day jobs, and media studies, Charron kept up with her first love: art work and a "bit" of photography, studying over the years with professional artists and at local colleges. Now "retired" and living in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Charron is enjoying the local art community and the opportunity to expand her colored pencil portraiture work while enjoying the wonderful landscapes with their varied shapes, textures and colors. She is exhibiting her work locally with the Rio Rancho Art Association.

AWARDS: Charron was a Scholastic Gold Key recipient in high school for watercolors and graphite work, and more recently, won 2nd and 3rd place ribbons for her work entered in the Aurora (Illinois) Art League's annual juried exhibits in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2009, Charron participated in Geneva, Illinois' cultural exchange program with their sister city, Croissy-sur-Seine, in France as part of the artist delegation. She received a 1st place award from the City of Croissy for her pastel landscape during their Fete de la Grenouillere en plein air competition during the exchange. Most recently, Charron received Best of Show and a 3rd place honor for her colored pencil entries in the 23rd Annual Old Church Art Show sponsored by the Corrales, NM, Visual Arts Counsil