Guild Artists

Yadira Payne

Yadira V. Payne is a self-instructed Columbia County multi-media artist. Originally from Puerto Rico, this Army Brat had the opportunity to observe and learn from artisans and artists from around the world. In this nomadic life, there were only two constants - the library and art. It is no wonder that this artist is a government information librarian at Augusta State University.

Her artistic debut was at the age of four when she pulled various flower petals, leaves, berries, seed pods, and rocks from a military garden and made a rendition of her Puerto Rican home on the sidewalk. This debut was both a success and a failure as she was scolded for gathering art supplies from military property.

Her greatest influence was her mother who was a very creative and artistic woman.

Yadira works mainly with acrylics but loves to experiment with other media and techniques. Most of her pieces and a few of her murals were commissioned. It was not until 2009 that she created a complete collection of pieces for an exhibit at Reese Library's art gallery.

Yadira's art philosophy: "Art is the artists' perceived reflection of life, memories, and emotions."