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When she moved back to theOzarks in 1972, Lipe decided tomake her paintings "more than justa Sunday thing." She began paintingclasses and doing serious commercialpainting. Her accounts include shopsin Branson and War Eagle Mill.Lipe also writes and publisheschildren's books, e.g. the "Ricena's Pond" series, and "Sooty", using her paintingsas illustrations. She's won numerousawards in art shows and competitions. Her work has been featuredtwice with Willard Scott on theToday show. Some of Lipe's teachershave been nationally known artistsLiz Rogers, Shirley Wilson and therenowned western artist Lee Parkinson. Lipe presently teaches oil painting to adult education classes inSpringfield. As a teacher, Lipe nurtures individuality and helps each studentdevelop his or her own potential.Lipe's students said she helps themsee beyond the first dimension andtheir paintings come alive with shadow, depth and dimension. Lipe's paintings are in privatecollections and on display throughoutthe United States and Europe. Herpaintings have been purchased by artconnoisseurs such as the JacquesPetitpiers, the David Kershaws, theWesley Halls and the Shoji Tabuchis. Lipe was born in Kansas Cityduring the Great Depression. Herfamily migrated to Detroit where herfather worked in an oil refinery. Shewelcomed a new sister to the familyin 1939. During the war years, Lipe, hermother and sister moved back toKansas City after her father wascalled to active duty by the NavalReserve. Her father was killed onOkinawa in 1945. The family then moved to California to be close to Lipe's mother'sfamily. While in California, Lipecontracted polio and her mother began her own battle against a braintumor. Lipe, her mother and sisterthen moved to Bolivar, Missouri.During Lipe's sophomore year ofhigh school, her mother died. Lipe'saunt stepped in and cared for herand her sister. The family moved toGuam where Lipe's uncle worked. While on Guam, Lipe became anight club singer. Singing had alwaysbeen an important part of her life.Lipe sang in enlisted men*s clubs,the NCO clubs and the officers'clubs. She even hula danced inmilitary hospitals. In 1954, Lipe returned to thestates to attend college in Berkeley.While in Berkeley, she met her husband Dean. They dated two weeksand were married on New Year'sEve in 1954. They have a son Steve,who is married, and has a daughterColey. "The craziness of Berkeley"prompted Lipe and her family tomove back to the Ozarks. A student evaluated her instructor,Riki Lipe, by writing: "She helpsme see beyond the first dimension. Ihad never seen a cloud, a tree or afield of grass until I tried to paintthem." |
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