Colleen Pearce discovered her love of painting at a Nursery School easel. A spotted giraffe bent its neck to stay on the paper. Growing up on a farm in Michigan instilled an appreciation and deep sense of belonging with nature.

She received a diploma from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, a BFA from Tufts University and an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. While living in Australia she earned a diploma in art history from the Gallery of New South Wales.

She has been an educator in public and private schools as well as teaching at Tufts University. She was a guest lecturer at the deCordova Museum and was the recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Grant.

Pearce has exhibited across New England, including the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston City Hall, BU, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, the Fitchburg Art Museum, Three Stones Gallery, Fitchburg State University and MassArt.