Georgia Color 2022

I can’t believe I’ve let an entire year go by without writing again. And so, in an effort to get back on track with my updates, I am going to spend the next few weeks reviewing some of the big moments of the past year and finish with my current projects moving forward.

The end of October brought Georgia Color again. My 4th year participating, I look forward to this plein air event every year! Part of the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, this event invites Georgia artists to apply and out of the 70+ applicants, 30 of us were chosen. The first two years was held in the Lake Oconee/Madison/Eatonton area, last year was Brunswick/St Simon’s Island, and this year was Braselton/Chateau Elan.

I enjoyed a few days of gorgeous weather, painting in the sunshine among downtown Braselton and the vineyards of Chateau Elan. with some amazing artists!

In just a couple of days, I painted 4 paintings: beautiful sun-filled days of October color and bright blue skies. The paintings are all available on the Olmsted Plein Air website, available through November 30. (They would all make perfect holiday gifts!)

Georgia Color 2021

Again I had the privilege of participating in Georgia Color as one of 35 selected artists. This year we were hosted by the Glynn Visual Artist Center on St Simon’s Island. It was a beautiful location from the beach to the marsh, but my favorite thing was the trees. Whether the trees over hung with Spanish moss, or the skeletal trees of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, or the beautiful twisting cedar trees surrounding the downtown village, they were an inspiration.

Georgia Color 2020, Part 2

A few weeks ago I had the wonderful experience of participating with Georgia Color, a weekend of painting en plan air with 25 other artists in Georgia’s historic heartland around Madison, Eatonton and Lake Oconee. The Georgia Color Catalogue contains the paintings of each artist, both pieces from their collection as well as pieces painted throughout the weekend. All artwork is for sale through November 30.

Georgia Color 2020

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I am honored to have been selected as a featured artist in Georgia Color, 2nd annual plein air competition, October 22-25. As one of 26 Georgia artists, we’ll be painting in the historic heartland of Georgia around the areas of Eatonton, Madison and Lake Oconee. A juried event, each artist choses 2 of the pieces completed during the weekend to enter into the competition on Saturday with an awards ceremony on Saturday evening in Eatonton. All artwork will be for sale and in addition to the physical exhibition of work, there will be a virtual gallery of available artwork through November 30.

For more information and the schedule of events: https://www.olmstedpleinair.com/georgia-color

Frank Lloyd Wright

Last weekend we flew to Chicago for the Frank Lloyd Wright tour of homes in the neighborhood of Oak Park. Every May the Wright Foundation organizes this tour that brings you into private homes designed either by Frank Lloyd Wright or his contemporaries and students in Oak Park. It is a beautiful neighborhood and simply walking past the houses is a wonderful experience. The weather interspersed glorious sunshine with crazy thunderstorms with temperatures ranging from the 40’s to 80’s, but despite it all, we had an amazing time. Per usual, I had my sketchbook out to quickly capture the details and jot down a few notes about the history before being gently encouraged to move along! It also came in handy while waiting in line to enter the houses. We only toured a few of the many houses, but Sunday morning we participated in worship at he Unity Temple also designed by Wright. It was the perfect culmination of the weekend!

Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Gallery

For almost two weeks in February I had the amazing opportunity to focus on my painting as one of the Artists in Action at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Gallery in Southern Maryland. The “Artists in Action” apply and are chosen to do their artwork the gallery space during the months of January and February with 4-5 artists working together at any one time. They chose a variety of artists from painters (in oil, acrylic, watercolor - some working representational, others abstract) to ceramicists and sculptors. It was fun to work side-by-side with so many other talented artists!

I was able to complete 7 paintings and start an 8th.

Barcelona!

In January we had the amazing opportunity to spend a week in Barcelona! One of my favorite cities, I had not visited in 12 years. We spent our time enjoying the art and architecture, from Gaudi to Picasso and Miro, as well as the amazing food! Of course, I sketched throughout our trip. I was so inspired by Gaudi’s architecture - the organic shapes and forms, the beautiful stained glass and colored tiles juxtaposed with warm wood. It was especially exciting to see the interior of Sagrada Familia - 12 years ago it was in progress, now the inside is complete, glowing with light through stained-glass. The columns feel like trees rising above you, the branches outstretched.

We also ate such delicious food, from tapas to paella, everything we tried was fantastic! We also loved exploring the Gothic neighborhood, finding the places that are tucked away and off the beaten track.

Our last day we decided to venture outside of the city to Montserrat. We took a train from Barcelona and the gondola up to the top where we saw the monastery and gorgeous views. We were able to hike up a path further up to a chapel and a lookout point that allowed for views of the unusual finger-like mountain-top and the monastery. It was the perfect ending to a spectacular trip!

Plein air in St Simons

For the last two months, when I have visited my mom in St Simons Island, I have been sure to bring my sketchbook and pencils, watercolor or pastels! It has been a beautiful time to sit on the beach or sit by the marsh and draw. Such a wonderful environment on the island, when the heat and sand start to get to me, I can find a shade tree by the Pier near the Village or along the marsh. Such beauty in each place!

Pastel commissions

I have had the wonderful opportunity to create 2 pastel drawings on panel.  The commissions were each of churches, a gift of lovely memory where the couples were married!  The first I did last month, 5" x 7".  

This month I was asked to do one by the daughter of the couple who received the last!  This one was larger, 8" x 10".

If you are interested in a commissioned piece, just email me through my contact page!

Trip to Michigan

Last week I visited Michigan for the first time.  A family vacation, we took the kids, visiting the in-laws in Ohio first (I got to see the Cleveland Museum of Art - such a wonderful collection!) before renting a car and driving up to Michigan.  My husband grew up in Michigan and was glad to get back to the cooler temperatures!  As a native Atlantan, it was a bit odd to wear a sweater in June, but I tried to roll with it!  We had a truly lovely time, biking around Mackinac Island and sampling fudge with the other "fudgies", combing the shores of Lake Michigan for Petosky stones, marveling at the "mushroom houses" in Charlevoix, driving through the Tunnel of Trees, or simply relaxing at the sweet cabin we rented on Black Lake (by the fire pit and eating s'mores).  Below are the sketches from my sketchbook (mostly on Mackinac Island, although I have a sketch and a watercolor from Black Lake), including a time-lapse video of my watercolor of the Grand Hotel.  Enjoy!

June Events

June has many new events.  It all started with a new website!  It's just so exciting!  I wanted a website less complicated and easier to navigate.  

The biggest news is my art sale!  I am offering 50% off all art in my Etsy shop for the month of June.   

In addition, I am participating in an art exhibition at the Limelight Gallery at Binders Art Supply in Buckhead.  Momentum XIV this year is a group of 12 artists with a wonderful variety of styles of painting.  The artist reception was Sunday, June 10, but the exhibit continues through June.  

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