OpSail in Norfolk, Virginia

This past weekend the city of Norfolk participated in OpSail, which is an international effort to "promote goodwill and awareness of ships and shipping." Tall ships from around the world are participating in this event by stopping at  the US ports of New York City, Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans and New London. Norfolk was invited to participate this year and found the opportunity to highlight the importance of the Navy in the community as well as the Coast Guard and other sea services by including those vessels as well. Also  this year our country is celebrating  the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of our national anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner". So this is also a part of this event. Phew! Anyway, here are some photos I took of the tall ships arriving on Friday. It was spectacular! And only a short walk from my studio!

I guess someone enjoys the view at the top!





Boats of Coastal Virginia

When you live as close to as much water as I do, it's hard to resist  not spending at least some time exploring the view from the water side. So this weekend we went boating from the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia to part of the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River. There are so many kinds of boats that I often wonder why I'm not a painter of boats and sea scenes. I've always enjoyed working with sea creatures but boats have always seemed a huge challenge! Here are a few of the boats that I saw along the way. Maybe someday I'll attempt a drawing - tugboats have a lot of appeal!




Tugboat, of course

 


I wonder where this old navy ship saw better days

 


Downtown Norfolk to Portsmouth ferry

 


A Memorial Day sail!

 



Not sure what it is but it's cute

 


At the cruise terminal in Norfolk - too big!

 


We fix anything here!

 

Garden Gnomes

When I went to the garden center a few days ago to buy flowers, I saw these silly gnomes for sale as garden decorations. I was not in the market to buy one but it did make me curious about their history. What are they anyway? I learned that we think a gnome is a legendary dwarfish creature meant to guard the earth's treasures underground or really just an imaginary small creature that is supposed to look after your property, like your home or garden. Hmm...it seems like a pleasant idea! It was first introduced by the German-Swiss Renaissance scientist Paracelsus in the 1400's as a small spirit of magic and alchemy. 
I read that the present style of the gnome is a "Disneyfied" style, looking like a dwarf in the 1937 movie of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. 
Well, now my curiosity has been sufficiently satisfied!

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linocut
2 1/2" x 3 3/4"

New Market, Virginia

Two weekends ago I drove four hours west to the western part of Virginia to a neat little town, New Market, for the first opening of a new gallery owned by my good friends Jean Peacock and George Tussing. They converted the lower level of their second home and historic building (it was a schoolhouse at one time and then a home for some of George's family). Hence the name "The Old Schoolhouse Galllery". It converted into two nice gallery spaces with other space in a reception area, all brightly painted. It looks fantastic! Here are a few photos showing one of the galleries, some of my favorite work of George's in the show and then some shots from around the town of New Market. After visiting the area, I can see why George is so inspired to paint the mountains and countryside of this part of Virginia. It's so pretty here! Soon I'll show some photos of the countryside.

The Old Schoolhouse Gallery

George's Acrylic Paintings

New Market

The Christmas Gallery in New Market






linocut  2 1/2" x 3 3/4"

 

This Saturday is a new event, the Eagle Festival, at Norfolk Botanical Garden, our local garden in Norfolk, Virginia. I've been madly making small linocut prints the past two weeks to add to my collection and bring to the festival. I know I'll enjoy participating in this event because it's all about birds and nature and most of my work is about nature!  There will be food, music, art and many local organizations there which have an interest in wildlife. The location is fabulous and the weather is supposed to be brilliant! And they are providing covered spaces for the exhibitors. Yay, no tent to bring!