Biography and Mission Statement

Amelia ("Mimi") Whaley was born in Charleston, grew up on Edisto Beach and presently lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in English from the University of South Carolina.  Years later, the painting came, a surprise and unexpected gift on several levels.  In 1985, her father gave her watercolor lessons for Christmas, and "the moment the brush filled with paint and water touched the paper, something connected deep inside me, and I knew what I was born to do."

While watercolor is her favorite art medium, she also works in acrylic, collage, mixed media and pastels to express her personal vision.  She is a member of the Charleston Artist Guild, the South Carolina Watercolor Society, CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

She has been the recipient of state and local awards, and her paintings have been reproduced as cover art for music tapes and CD’s.  Her painting of The Old King’s Highway on Edisto Island, S.C. was reproduced as the back cover of "Pon Top Edisto," the award-winning cookbook of Trinity Episcopal Church, Edisto Island, S.C.  Her artwork hangs in private and corporate collections, and many of her original works decorate the walls of the four-star rated “Old Post Office” restaurant on Edisto Island.  She has also illustrated two books for Ariel, A Ministry of Proclamation.

In addition to being a member and part owner of Courtyard Art Gallery, 149 1/2 East Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401, Amelia exhibits in various shows regionally.  She was juried into the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit in 1988 and continues to exhibit each year in Marion Square, Charleston, SC, in addition to giving one of the 24 art demonstrations offered during this outdoor show which features approximately 100 well-known South Carolina artists. The art show begins Memorial Day weekend in each year and runs the 17 days of the festival.

"Art is a journey - the more I see, the more I listen, the more I experience, the more I learn to use the tools to make art, the better able I am to express my vision and emotional content through painting, collage, writing and other creative endeavors." 

Worship Painting/Prophetic Art

Amelia is active in the Christian Arts and is a member of CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts).  She paints as an act of worship during the First Wednesday service at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant and also paints at the Mahesh Chavda conferences held several times a year near Charlotte, N.C.  In March 2006 she painted at the first Watchman for Peace Conference in Jerusalem and at a three-hour evening Watch and Worship Service held on the excavated Southern Steps of the Temple Mount with Bonnie and Mahesh Chavda and Canon Andrew White.

Many times artwork painted in a worship service or Christian conference is referred to as “prophetic” art, because this is another way that God speaks to His people.   In addition to scripture, God can use music, artwork, drama and other avenues to reveal Himself.  I believe that God is always speaking; we are not always aware of it.  Scripture is the standard by which to measure the validity of a revelation that comes outside of scripture.

"Painting in worship is like learning to speak a new language.  You can read and study the language but you only become fluent by "speaking it."  I learn each time I paint in a worship or praise setting, because I grow in my relationship with God. 

Creativity

Amelia enjoys leading day or weekend workshops in painting, collage and the release of creative play.  “My passion for creativity encompasses more than painting - I love to see others discover and release their own creative gifts.”