ARTIST STATEMENT: I woke up one day and art found me. It follows me wherever I go. Through art, I meet friends from all corners of the world. Art brings so much joy to my life. It is the shortest bridge between new friends. And, friendship makes the world more beautiful. My father once said to me, “There is no such thing as ugly. Change your lens and you will find beauty in everything you see.“ THIS I believe.
BIOGRAPHY: Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy is a Michigander who was born and spent her childhood in West Java, Indonesia. Her journey as an artist began when she took a watercolor class in 2015. Since then, she has grown to be an accomplished artists. McCarthy was among more than `1000 international artists participating in ArtPrize 2023 and 2024. Early 2024, she is among Top 20 artists featured in the Holland Art in Bloom Tulip Time Festival.
To her friends and family, McCarthy is called by her nickname, OETJOEN. Her cheerful personality and multicultural background are reflected throughout her work. She is fearless and enjoys experimenting with new methods or materials. Her approach to painting is “Let’s throw colors and see what happens.” From that simple beginning, she has created poignant and charming works of art.
McCarthy graduated from Western Michigan University and works full time at a West Michigan based company. She lives with her husband Kevin and a black cat named Minmei.
Also find me here:
Fine Art America
AllArtWorks
Exhibitions:
2025 - Invited to Loneliness, Isolation, and Connection art exhibition by Ludington Area Center for the Arts: Listen and Conversations with Mangrum I
2024 - FOTOG Regional Photographic Competition: Analog, received Honorable Mention award
2024 - Funky Town Show
2024 -Regional Art Festival - Festival of the Arts
2024 - Top 20 Holland Art in Bloom Tulip time Festival.
2023 - September 14 through October 1 - 2023 ArtPrize
2023 -Connections, LowellArts Gallery, Lowell, Michigan; Images Made of Life, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland, MI; 26th Art-A-Whirl 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
2022 - What If? Experimenting and Exploring the Possibility in Art, a Solo Arts Exhibition at Van Singel Fine Arts Center, Byron Center, Mi
2022 - Finding the Old Script No. 2, 36th Annual West Michigan LowellArts Competition, Lowell, MI
2021 - Invitational Women's Exhibitions, Gallery Uptown, Grand Haven, MI
2021 - 1998, Grand Valley Artist juried exhibition, Van Single Gallery, Byron Center, Michigan
2020 - International Women's Day: The Power of Femininity, featured artist, City Center Arts Gallery, Muskegon, MI
2020 - Bajau, Sea Nomad, Regional Arts Competition, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan (virtual show)
2020 - The Disappearing Boy, The Art of Change, LowellArts Council, Lowell, Michigan
2019 - Dipsy Dos, Regional Arts Competition, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2019 - Urban Cartography, Midi, WON 1ST place Grand Valley Artist - Holland Area Arts Council, GVA Members only juried exhibition
2019 - International FLORA Exhibition, Midwest Center for Photography
2019 - Virtual Exhibition, Juried exhibition for ISEA members - International Society of Experimental Artists
2018 - TOPT20 Artist, 2019 Art in Bloom - Tulip Time Arts Competition, Holland, MI
2018 - WON 3RD Place, Lake Muskegon Project Arts Competition, Red Lotus Center for the Arts, Muskegon, MI
2018 - Urban Cartography, Maxi, West Michigan LowellArt Competition, Lowell, MI
2017 - Lake Toba, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
2016 - Photography: Wilted Tulips. Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids,
2015 - Photography: The Death of A Barn, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, MI.
2024 - FOTOG Regional Photographic Competition: Analog, received Honorable Mention award
2024 - Funky Town Show
2024 -Regional Art Festival - Festival of the Arts
2024 - Top 20 Holland Art in Bloom Tulip time Festival.
2023 - September 14 through October 1 - 2023 ArtPrize
2023 -Connections, LowellArts Gallery, Lowell, Michigan; Images Made of Life, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland, MI; 26th Art-A-Whirl 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
2022 - What If? Experimenting and Exploring the Possibility in Art, a Solo Arts Exhibition at Van Singel Fine Arts Center, Byron Center, Mi
2022 - Finding the Old Script No. 2, 36th Annual West Michigan LowellArts Competition, Lowell, MI
2021 - Invitational Women's Exhibitions, Gallery Uptown, Grand Haven, MI
2021 - 1998, Grand Valley Artist juried exhibition, Van Single Gallery, Byron Center, Michigan
2020 - International Women's Day: The Power of Femininity, featured artist, City Center Arts Gallery, Muskegon, MI
2020 - Bajau, Sea Nomad, Regional Arts Competition, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan (virtual show)
2020 - The Disappearing Boy, The Art of Change, LowellArts Council, Lowell, Michigan
2019 - Dipsy Dos, Regional Arts Competition, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2019 - Urban Cartography, Midi, WON 1ST place Grand Valley Artist - Holland Area Arts Council, GVA Members only juried exhibition
2019 - International FLORA Exhibition, Midwest Center for Photography
2019 - Virtual Exhibition, Juried exhibition for ISEA members - International Society of Experimental Artists
2018 - TOPT20 Artist, 2019 Art in Bloom - Tulip Time Arts Competition, Holland, MI
2018 - WON 3RD Place, Lake Muskegon Project Arts Competition, Red Lotus Center for the Arts, Muskegon, MI
2018 - Urban Cartography, Maxi, West Michigan LowellArt Competition, Lowell, MI
2017 - Lake Toba, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
2016 - Photography: Wilted Tulips. Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids,
2015 - Photography: The Death of A Barn, Festival of the Arts, Grand Rapids, MI.
