Local artist Sylvia O'Neill was born in the small military town of Ayer, MA in 1932.
It wasn't until the 1970's, though, that she began taking art classes. Sylvia studied oil painting for 7 years with Richard Gibney, a renowned portrait artist in Gloucester, MA. Her main subjects were animals, nudes and landscapes.

Shortly after her retirement in 1997, she moved to Greenville and joined a group of pastel artists who met weekly at Jaycee Park. This group was led by Arch Manning, who became Sylvia's mentor and friend. Always looking for a challenge, Sylvia began working in watercolors and acrylics, studying with Janet Dixon, Linda Griffin and Jan Pasour.

Over the past 15 years, Sylvia has shown and won numerous medals in the art division of the Senior Olympics. Her work has hung in several local art galleries and businesses, including Uptown Gallery, Frames by James, aTavola and Greenville City Hall. She is currently an active member of Brushstrokes and shows at The Innerbanks Gallery in Washington, NC.

Sylvia still finds she is most inspired to paint nature and wildlife, especially the birds who frequent her garden.