2014 OPA National Exposition

It's been a crazy, wonderful 17 days down at PIccolo Spoleto, and I will miss everyone down there (who will I have Happy Hour with at 4pm??). I work with an amazing group of artists and it's been great fun being with them and clients for 17 days. Lots of paintings have found new homes across the country (and Saudi Arabia and Switzerland) and I am so grateful to all.

I am also happy to have it over and get organized around here...then start on commissions.

The other nice thing - more than nice actually, is that I received the Figurative Honorable Mention Award at the Oil Painters of America 2014 National Exhibition at the Bennington Art Center, in Vermont. This is a huge honor to my work and I can not say in words what it means to me to not just receive the award, but to be selected for the show. 

"The Commute" 40x30 oil

Set Up Day

For the past week, I've been in a frenzy getting all the things done that need to be done for Piccolo Spoleto. Labels, postcards, books, framing, making sure i have all my essentials packed (sunscreen, corkscrew, screwdrivers, duct tape, etc) - all packed and ready to go down to Marion Square. The tent went up today, the weather was gorgeous, and tomorrow the real set-up with paintings. I love this part. The waiting part is hard, and now I get to hang all the new paintings for the show and see the clients, collectors and artist friends( that have been locked in their studios painting for the show also).

YEA - it's here!

Come see me at #78 near the Embassy Suites on Meeting Street - Starting Friday! MAY 23 - JUNE 8th Open everyday from 10-6

SOUTHERN BELLE 40x30

The Bits & Pieces that Make it Fun

You never hear parents say "Oh, I just loved that 1-3 year old stage of my kid's life". It is a trial and test  of supreme patience. And you never get a full night's worth of sleep. I remember it as "floating" through time - waiting for them to finish a meal, walk down the block, get out of the bath (that took you forever to get them into in the first place)

But as they move into the 4's, I love it. Everything is new and wonderful to them. I watched as my grand daughter played, and was in awe the imagination and creativity. Lining up stones and snails from the beach, making up songs (my favorite being one about "Mr. Potat"), listening to stories made up while she plays, and the amazing ability to tackle two languages at once. Rather than a "Why" child , she is "What?", as she looks up straight into my eyes, looking for the answer. It pulls you out of your own space, and into theirs, looking at things the way they do so that you can come up with an answer.

At home, I put away my suitcase and pulled out my small bag of rocks collected from the the beach at Marseilles. I carefully lined them up on the window sill, and as Stella would, assess the size and shape before putting them down in their place.

I started a small painting yesterday, and approached it with the same thoughtfulness - where does this piece fit, is it the right color and spot, and took joy that I had such a good teacher for two weeks.


Upcoming Spring Events

I am so thrilled that my painting "The Commute", has been selected as a finalist for the upcoming 2014 OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA NATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION. I love this piece and so appreciate that the judges did also. (For non-painters: Sort of like if you were a beagle and got invited to be in the Westminster Dog Show. That cool!)

 

                                                               The Commute", 40x30 $4800 …

                                                               The Commute", 40x30 $4800 AVAILABLE

"Architecture #3"

Abstract? Yes. I have spent a week with a group of artists painting out at Sullivan's Island. Great food, conversation and painting with some really bright artists. Our one day challenge was inspired by discussions of how we work, what inspires us, and where we can push ourselves. So we all did abstracts for a few days and learned how to approach them and make them "our own" (guided by Karen Weihs). I have been leaning this way for a while and while I love what I do  most of the time, I've wanted to push a little in the abstract direction. Loved the whole experience!

"Architecture #3"

24x18 gallery wrapped

Architecture #3
Architecture #3

Back to Painting

I can't believe 17 days went so fast. My thanks to everyone who visited, brought me lemonaid, purchased a painting - and especially to my tent mates. It was the BEST year, ever! Just way too many memories to put all down. So now back to painting for the August show at City Art Gallery in Greenville, NC. But first, get organized, do laundry, go away for a couple of days with John, and to do NOTHING.

"In the Breeze" 24x48 oil

In the Breeze
In the Breeze

Back to Work

I'm back in the studio, organizing for our new artist Tina Christophillis to come take the studio in the front. It will be so nice to have someone new, with contemporary work in the spot. Meanwhile I'm painting some commissions, and playing around with some new work before I head off to the mountains on the 14th, for the Cashier's Paint Out event. More on that later.

I did a small piece of this scene awhile back and wanted to play with doing a bigger one. It was one of those beautiful March sunny days in Paris down by the Tuilleries, and EVERYONE in Paris was out enjoying the warmth.

Winter Sun
Winter Sun

"Winter Sun" 18x18 oil on linen

"Bon Appetit"

I think some of my best pieces are the ones that I've thought about doing for a long time. This has been on the backburner for a while, ever since I saw it on rue Paul Bert in Paris. Just around the corner from Samantha and Morgan, this is the cutest little bistro with great seafood brought in from the coast of Normandy.

 

"Bon Appetit"

12x12 oil on linen

SOLD

Back to Painting

I've been busy with the Grand Opening, the workshop and then the paint out for OPA - all great times with some really great artists. Now I just want to go back in the studio and paint. I've been trying different palette, different brushes, and just experimenting with some new things. I've also been going out again to paint with friends. I don't do that enough and I'm so grateful when I'm out there in good company and putting paint down on canvas.  I am always in awe when I am out there and realize I get to do this for a living.

"Path to the Beach" 12x10 was done on Folly beach a few weeks back. This one and some other new pieces that are small enough for holiday gifts are at the gallery.