Biography
A native of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Mj Dicus has been fervently painting with oils in an impressionistic style since childhood. Mj's earliest years were spent drawing on white butcher paper her mother gave to her from the local grocery store. Later she rode her bike to the art store and bought her first brush, two oil paints and a canvas board. Influenced by her late Uncle Richard Dicus of Taos New Mexico, an artist educated in Europe, Mj studied at New Mexico State University where she received a classic fine art education. She graduated from the University of Utah and earned her J.D. from the California Western School of Law. Mj also studied with Mun Cheung Quan watercolorist at JU and Edo Patrini, a European trained impressionist.
Mj paints in her studio and en plein air on small to large canvases and continues her love of drawing. Her lifelong study of oils is reflected in her painting’s richness in color, dancing shadows and glistening light. Mj Dicus’ work has been juried into both local, statewide and nationwide exhibits as well as receiving several local awards. Her paintings also hang in private collections across Florida, including commissioned paintings. Mj is a member of the Beach Art Center, Pinellas Park Art Society, and St. Pete Artworks. Art Studio located at Five Deuces Galleria Studio #6 (front orange building) in the Warehouse Arts District.
Artist Statement
"I have spent my life painting and drawing the islands and coastline of Florida's Gulf Coast. I spent my early years sailing and exploring inspiring destinations like Honeymoon Island. I feel moved to paint my many heartfelt years with nature. My purpose is to highlight the edge of nature by capturing nature's display of energy both beautiful and fluid, at times emphasizing the contrast between its dynamic energy and serene beauty. Nature is a spark for my creative energy. My paintings encourage the viewer to enjoy the dynamic synergy between the radiant effervescent light and the fluid energy of nature at its most stunning moment." Mj Dicus 2019
Selected Recent Exhibitions
2020 "Heart of My Heart", Honorable Mention Award, Beach Art Center, Indian Rocks Beach Fl
2019 "The Really Big Show", Stirling Art Gallery and Studios, Dunedin Fl
2019 "Summer Sizzler", Dazzio Art School and Gallery, St Petersburg Fl
2019 "Burka Lounge Member's Show", Juried Member's Show, Warehouse Arts District St. Petersburg Fl
2019 Artists' Choice Show Pinellas Park Art Society, Honorable Mention, Pinellas Park Fl
2019 "Scapes" Show Pinellas Park Art Society, 2nd Place Award, Pinellas Park Fl
2019 Artists' Choice Show Pinellas Park Art Society, 2nd Place Award, Pinellas Park Fl
2018 "Benjamin's the Limit" Warehouse Arts District Member's Show, Juried Member's Show, St. Petersburg Fl
2018 28th Annual All Florida Juried Art Show, Statewide Juried exhibit, Stuart Fl
2017 Warehouse Arts District Member's Show, St. Petersburg Fl
2016 26th Annual All Florida Juried Arts Show, Statewide Juried exhibit, Stuart Fl
2012 Suntan Art Center Show, 3rd Place Award, St. Pete Beach Fl
2010 American Cancer Society Cattle Baron's Ball and Auction, Orlando Fl
2009 Wild Horse and Western Art Show at the High Desert Gallery-National Juried exhibit, Rock Springs WY
2009 Great Art and Frame Gallery Show-selected artist, Tampa Fl
2005 Morean Art Center Members Show, received the John Brown Painting Award, St Petersburg Fl.
1988-1991 Art Space Studio Shows, St. Petersburg Fl
1973-1974 Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Bellaire Bluffs Fl
A native of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Mj Dicus has been fervently painting with oils in an impressionistic style since childhood. Mj's earliest years were spent drawing on white butcher paper her mother gave to her from the local grocery store. Later she rode her bike to the art store and bought her first brush, two oil paints and a canvas board. Influenced by her late Uncle Richard Dicus of Taos New Mexico, an artist educated in Europe, Mj studied at New Mexico State University where she received a classic fine art education. She graduated from the University of Utah and earned her J.D. from the California Western School of Law. Mj also studied with Mun Cheung Quan watercolorist at JU and Edo Patrini, a European trained impressionist.
Mj paints in her studio and en plein air on small to large canvases and continues her love of drawing. Her lifelong study of oils is reflected in her painting’s richness in color, dancing shadows and glistening light. Mj Dicus’ work has been juried into both local, statewide and nationwide exhibits as well as receiving several local awards. Her paintings also hang in private collections across Florida, including commissioned paintings. Mj is a member of the Beach Art Center, Pinellas Park Art Society, and St. Pete Artworks. Art Studio located at Five Deuces Galleria Studio #6 (front orange building) in the Warehouse Arts District.
Artist Statement
"I have spent my life painting and drawing the islands and coastline of Florida's Gulf Coast. I spent my early years sailing and exploring inspiring destinations like Honeymoon Island. I feel moved to paint my many heartfelt years with nature. My purpose is to highlight the edge of nature by capturing nature's display of energy both beautiful and fluid, at times emphasizing the contrast between its dynamic energy and serene beauty. Nature is a spark for my creative energy. My paintings encourage the viewer to enjoy the dynamic synergy between the radiant effervescent light and the fluid energy of nature at its most stunning moment." Mj Dicus 2019
Selected Recent Exhibitions
2020 "Heart of My Heart", Honorable Mention Award, Beach Art Center, Indian Rocks Beach Fl
2019 "The Really Big Show", Stirling Art Gallery and Studios, Dunedin Fl
2019 "Summer Sizzler", Dazzio Art School and Gallery, St Petersburg Fl
2019 "Burka Lounge Member's Show", Juried Member's Show, Warehouse Arts District St. Petersburg Fl
2019 Artists' Choice Show Pinellas Park Art Society, Honorable Mention, Pinellas Park Fl
2019 "Scapes" Show Pinellas Park Art Society, 2nd Place Award, Pinellas Park Fl
2019 Artists' Choice Show Pinellas Park Art Society, 2nd Place Award, Pinellas Park Fl
2018 "Benjamin's the Limit" Warehouse Arts District Member's Show, Juried Member's Show, St. Petersburg Fl
2018 28th Annual All Florida Juried Art Show, Statewide Juried exhibit, Stuart Fl
2017 Warehouse Arts District Member's Show, St. Petersburg Fl
2016 26th Annual All Florida Juried Arts Show, Statewide Juried exhibit, Stuart Fl
2012 Suntan Art Center Show, 3rd Place Award, St. Pete Beach Fl
2010 American Cancer Society Cattle Baron's Ball and Auction, Orlando Fl
2009 Wild Horse and Western Art Show at the High Desert Gallery-National Juried exhibit, Rock Springs WY
2009 Great Art and Frame Gallery Show-selected artist, Tampa Fl
2005 Morean Art Center Members Show, received the John Brown Painting Award, St Petersburg Fl.
1988-1991 Art Space Studio Shows, St. Petersburg Fl
1973-1974 Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Bellaire Bluffs Fl