Clayton Visual Arts
Reception 6 7 12
What an INCREDIBLE night! The art reception at the Clayton Visual Arts showcased 18 of my paintings along with another North Carolina artist, Jo Lee Tucker. Here I am addressing the more than 50+ attendees.
Paintings sold, new work commissioned, and I went home in a daze from the night, the joy, and the deep, heart-felt appreciation and gratefulness for such a moment. I was truly humbled.
I sincerely thank the folks at Clayton Visual Arts for the awesome opportunity and event. What an amazing blessing!
(My dear husband apologizes for the blurry shots -- it was a busy night! LOL)
Friday, June 08, 2012
Me Discussing My work
Monday, June 04, 2012
Poppies Squared
1/4 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
Like others on Flickr these last few weeks, I seem to be focused on poppies these days. This painting was inspired by our recent visit to Montrose Gardens, Hillsborough, NC. As happens each spring, Nancy's historic and glorious garden is filled with every variety of these beauties. The cottage-style of her gardens is just perfect for the poppy's effusiveness and multitude of colors. What a joy to see!
And to think, I will soon have enough time to see them more often!
I have turned in my retirement notice -- and will be officially 'retired' at the end of this month. It was a difficult decision to make after 11 years of dedicated work to the project of building an arboretum, starting a two-year horticulture program, creating a solid lecture series and volunteer core, annual plant sales, seeking grants and gifts, and more. My association with this arboretum has been so long and so productive, and the fine folks I've met along the way have meant so much to me - that the decision to begin another phase in my life was mighty challenging.
Still, I'm not as young as I was when I started this venture, and my grandchildren are getting older too - and after 11 years of living 4 days out of 7 away from home -- it is time that I turn to things less stressful and less intense.
My plan is to continue teaching the classes I began at the Arboretum: gardening, art, soapcrafting, collage, herbs, cooking, watercolor - but to do all those closer to home. I'm excited, nervous, and yet anxious to finally slow down my frenetic pace.
And return to my own garden - and plant some poppies of my own!
Have a great week!
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Sunshine Lavender Festval
A GLORIOUS day -- low 70s, music provided, wonderful crowds, another incredible day! My paintings inventory has gotten low!! LOL I could have sold a dozen of my tee-shirts today!
And to top it off - lavender chicken salad, pineapple tea, lavender cupcakes, AND -- a double scoop of lavender ice cream chocolate and vanilla!!!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A special thanks to my dear husband who helped set up, helped with answering the many questions, helped arranged the paintings, talked to folks about my work and upcoming classes, and made the event more pleasurable. He is a blessing!
Meeting folks
was so joy-filled! It seemed that each person I met had wonderful stories to tell and I spent the day in awesome company and laughter!
A steady crowd
Of some amazing and wonderful people! Some all the way from South Carolina and New York!
Friday, June 01, 2012
Morning on the Marsh
1/2 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
I've been asked many times, "Where do you get your inspiration for your paintings?" And the question always surprises me - not for the curiosity it suggests, but more from the challenge of articulating an answer.
Some days inspiration comes from the most simple things: the way the sun lights my dining room table, the light on a leaf, the play of colors in my garden; sometimes even sounds - like trickling water in a creek, the rain on my skylights; or the smell of gardenias when I open my front door. Many more times, I am inspired by scenes captured by photographs or paintings or line work or simple washes of paint ane the suggestions they imply.
This painting was inspired by a photograph by Early Riser - www.flickr.com/photos/31996407@N05/7232489912/in/faves-li... . I love the way he captures morning views -- they bring me right back to the early mornings I spent in Charleston when I worked for the resorts on Johns Island. I would leave my home before sunrise, and by the time I was crossing over the island bridges, the sun would just be breaking the dawn. I would be rising higher on the bridge as the sun made its ascent - and like morning magic, we'd meet at the highest rise. For some reason, that 'meeting' created such a feeling of hope and optimism for the day.... the sun above, the marsh below... and the day ahead.
And so when I saw this particular capture, I was transported right back to those days, those magical moments, and I tried to capture that particular feeling in this painting.
Thank you, Brian for the inspiration of your work, and for evoking a most precious memory for me and a painting of marsh memories.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Red Poppies
1/4 Sheet
Arches 140#CP Rough
Though a bit late for Memorial Day, it still seems fitting to post these poppies! We had the opportunity last week for a short visit to two gardens last week - both filled with wonderful poppies. From red to purple, pink, blue and California orange - the poppies were plentiful. Even along the highways of North Carolina, poppies dress the landscape ....
Poppies often represent beauty, magic, consolation, fertility and eternal life. The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. The flowers were used by the Greeks in the shrines of Demeter and Diana. But more than anything, the red poppy has been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. The tradition of poppies to memorialize our fallen soldiers continues as we remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have kept our country free. May we continue to remember and to honor them ...
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Ducklings
1/4 Sheet
Arches 140#CP Rough
It's been a fast six months since we saw our granddaughters last -- and already the two have grown INCHES -- and are reading, counting, singing, dancing, playing junior monopoly, painting, performing! Where does the time go? It seems only yesterday that they were as tiny as these ducklings -- and now, they are well on their way into childhood ... cuddly babes no longer.
My thanks to my dear friend, Fossibear, for allowing me to use his photograph as inspiration for painting these ducklings. His fabulous photo,www.flickr.com/photos/fossibear/7229144766/in/faves-linfrye/ was of a precious gathering of baby swans … I turned these beauties into baby ducklings and painting them in the marshland I love. Thank you, Lutz for the inspiration!!! Please stop by his photostream to see some incredible, beautiful work!!
We’re off to the recital with our own precious grands ….still as cuddly and adorable as ever!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Pansies
1/2 Sheet
Arches 140#CP
The days, though longer in sunlight, seem to be fleeing with as much speed as lightning and are as filled as our ponds these rainy weeks. I can hardly find time lately to breathe let alone paint, and I can tell it's taking a toll of my tranquility! I painted this earlier this spring .... and though I am painting larger images more frequently, I'm finding it harder and harder to get to the painting table as often, or as long, as I'd like. Life, as they say, has a way of moving one in other directions.
Still, each day I do put paint to paper, but can't get to finishing a work for several days .... then something else pops up before I have time to post it ... ah well, this will pass ... I just hope it passes quickly, I am missing that 'zone' I am able to get into when painting that really helps me relax and dream.
This weekend will be another busy one. We'll be visiting my daughter and grands and take in a dance recital for both of them -- adorable!! It will be a quick visit and I'm looking forward to seeing the girls since we haven't seen them since the holidays. They're growing so fast!!! Our phone conversations have taken on that 'adult' tone that seems to move children from simply "Hi Nonna" -- to real "Guess what I did this weekend" chats! Wonderful -- but will be even better to see them.
Hope you have a great week... stay dry...
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