Sculptor Maureen Siobhán Riley grew into the sporting life quite early, learning about gun dogs from her Granddad and about sculpture from his best friend, Walter Midener. The shooting sports - sporting clays, horses, scuba diving, archery and fishing have played a big part in her life from childhood to the present - these country pursuits being the stuff her art is made of.
Educated at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan Riley chose sculpture as a medium in which to express her experiences and was soon exhibiting and selling her work at shooting events, the Safari Club, and international exhibitions in both Milan and Portofino, Italy. Her work has also been shown in Smithsonian Institute and she is a member of the Society of Animal Artists and National sculpture society.
"Since I have known Maureen Riley, she has shown a dedication to her sculpture which in itself is an inspiration. That, joined with her knowledge and ability to get to the core of her subjects, in my estimation, helps her art connect with the rest of us."
Robert K. Abbett
In her own words, "I have little interest in putting out slick shiny, pieces; rather, I let my energy be revealed in the surfaces. I am constantly inspired by the shapes and excitement of gun dogs, horses and hounds and even African wildlife - my urge in art then, is to put into bronze the grace and joy the out of doors and its creatures show me."
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