Originally from Chicago, IL, Mary Byrne Eigel currently lives with her husband in the St. Louis area, which has been her “second home” for the past forty years. Mary earned her B.F.A. at Quincy Uni...view moreOriginally from Chicago, IL, Mary Byrne Eigel currently lives with her husband in the St. Louis area, which has been her “second home” for the past forty years. Mary earned her B.F.A. at Quincy University and M.S. Ed in Art Education and Secondary Education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. As an artist and art educator for over thirty years, she has taught all levels of students from children to older adults. Her paintings have won awards and have been exhibited regionally, nationally, and internationally in juried competitions.As she transitions out of the classroom, Mary plans to focus on sharing with adults and children what she has learned from her chronic pain journey through writing, creative workshops, and pain management advocacy activities.view less