Bobwhites

I have a special fondness for Bobwhites since I heard their call often from the woods behind my childhood home. I don't remember seeing any pheasants but I thought they would make an interesting addition to my painting. The more, the merrier? I painted it for an upcoming juried show. I wanted to make an etching but knowing how time consuming that can be, I thought that a painting made more sense since the entry deadline for the show was fast approaching! You can see my painting in person and others in the show here:

Portsmouth Arts and Cultural Center
Creative Variations Exhibit
Feb. 23 - May 22

Don't miss the opening on March 1 from 5-8 pm!!

Brought to you by the Tidewater Art Alliance, promoting art in the Tidewater area of Virginia

 

gouache painting  9" x  9"

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I decorated these eggs the Pysanky way, with wax and dyes, and then hung them on the press in my studio.
They are looking pretty there. There's still a little time left for a purchase but not much before the day ends! I know, I should have posted earlier.
Have a great day and maybe I'll see you next year!

Now it's truly back to etching!

Pretlow Library and Art in the Foyer!

An interior designer that I know, Ray Jennings, who is also a pottery teacher at my art center designed the interiors of a library in Norfolk, Va, specifying these nice display cases in the foyer. He thought that some art from the center would look great displayed there so yesterday I took some of my work to the library and we arranged it in the two outside cases. A wonderful jeweler at the center, Cathy Jo Ramsey,  placed her work in the middle display case. The administrators of our center are always reminding us that we need to get out in the community more so I thought that this would be something I could do. Anyway, it looks nice but I'm not sure if any sales will come of it. I think promoting ourselves is the hardest part if you are serious about being an artist. Of course you want people to know who you are and some of it is fun but mostly we can't wait to work on our art! 

I like this library - you can't see it in my photos but it has a sealife theme in some of the areas, especially the children's area but it isn't overdone. It makes sense since Norfolk is on the water! These display cases give it some sparkle when you come in the door.

Good Morning!

The African Violets (Saintpaulias) in my kitchen window are blooming like crazy right now. This one looks especially animated! I'd love to have hundreds of them. Or thousands.Certainly they would make great painting subjects. They don't move a lot and they are readily available! And they come in some great colors.

                   

Butterfly Etching

"Just living  is not enough"

said the butterfly,

"one must have sun

freedom and a little flower."

Hans Christian Anderson

Incognito Event at d"Art Center, Norfolk

Last Saturday there was an event called "Incognito" at the art center where my studio is located. It is a yearly event held in January as a wine-tasting and fundraiser for the center. Artists are asked to donate 8" x 10" artworks. All artworks are sold for the same price and buyers don't know the name of the artists until after the purchases. The artists sign the backs of the works. Hence the name "Incognito". I enjoy guessing which artworks belong to which artists. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes not! This was my work: A gouache painting of Cedar Waxwings and who would guess that it's mine!