Meet the Artist - Gene Jones

What a beautiful group drawing day! I got to meet the gracious Gene Jones, who hosted our group. We all heard delightful stories of far away places as Gene recounted her days of teaching watercolor art on the QE2! It was a morning of art and making a new friend who was also a friend of my mother. A big thank you to a beautiful lady for sharing herself and her home with us.

"The Times They Are A Changing..."

So much going on in Studio 116!! Within the next week or so, my studio mate Ray will be moving into a studio of his own. While I was happy for him, I knew lots of big decisions would have to be made very quickly. After the recent grief of a family loss that came on the heels of boundless joy (and responsibilities) of a new little baby, Life was dealing a few too many changes for my comfort. Fortunately, after several long discussions, a couple tears, and wonderful support from family at home and at the d'Art Center, I resolved to rededicate myself to my art.
While I am sorry to see the best ever studio mate to leave, I am beginning to feel excitement at making a go of having the entire studio as my own!

Meeting Norman Goodwin

Nationally known urban artist Norman Goodwin* came into Studio 116 during d'Art's 25th Anniversary reception on July 9. The reputation of this highly talented Hampton Roads phenom precedes him, so I was well aware that my paintings were under the highest scrutiny from one who would have no qualms about openly critiquing my work in the company of others. When he asked Ray for introductions, I was a bit cautious after he had been quietly observing my wall of art. A few questions later, he offered the ultimate approval with, "I love your work; your colors, your brushstrokes, your balance. You are a good painter. And I don't say that to many people." 
Ultimate fear gave way to ultimate honor and the night was good!
After the weekend, I had a voicemail from Norman: "I have been thinking about your paintings all weekend. There isn't a bad one in the lot and I want to buy one." We have been chatting a couple times a week now, working out a delivery date!
*Norman Goodwin's paintings are collected by museums, including MOMA, the Chrysler Museum, Art Institute of Chicago and the Nasher Museum at Duke University. He is a certified fine arts appraiser and conservator.

Virginia Artists 2011 Juried Exhibition

As usual, James Warwick Jones packed the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center Opening with art patrons and artists! All galleries were filled with shoulder-to-shoulder attendance and only the upstairs gallery offered a little breathing room and an easier time to view the wonderful art in this exhibition. Juried by Amy Moorefield, Director of the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University, the exhibit featured 106 works by 81 Virginia artists, including yours truly with the selected piece at the left. Leaving the DVR on record for the Women's World Cup Soccer game, I headed over to Hampton for the reception, and not surprisingly, the long trip with the 6 mile tie-up at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, westbound, and a slightly shorter tie-up going back east to Virginia Beach. Sadly, I did not see a single soul I knew at the reception, and only recognized two of the award winners--Mark Miltz, "realist" painting award, and Victoria Pharr, sculpture award, and a paper artist who used to have a studio at the d'Art Center, but one of the few who I did not get to know. Happily, my painting sold! I actually has taken it home from my P|4 show and kept it at home to enjoy instead of the studio, so I am very glad someone else loved it as much as I do!

Seriously Central Maintenance...63° in the d'Art Center Studios is a Good Thing?

Brrr! It's the first day of summer and Norfolk's Central has decided to freeze us out of the Selden Arcade! Compared to Harborfest week, when temperatures soared into the high 90s outside, and the low 90s inside, this is the lesser of two evils. However, wouldn't it be fabulous if we could strike a happy medium and keep the temps in the mid- to high 60s year 'round? The latest reading is 63° which is perfect for enjoying my Starbucks, but not so much for anything else...except maybe buying art!

Norfolk Circuit Court Judges Peter Decker and Jim Mathews dropped by Studio 116 for a visit.  

The Boardwalk Art Show is "Smokin'"!

Today is the first day of the Boardwalk Art Show, where else but, on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. Unfortunately, the smoke from the peat fires from Alligator River area in Manteo, North Carolina have dropped a heavy smoke fog over our area. Several attempts to contain the fire have been unsuccesful since the lightning strike set this all off in April. The drive to my studio this morning was very hazy and smelly. If we are having this unpleasant conditions in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, I can only imagine what the Outer Banks vacationers are experiencing.

Still, I am planning to stroll through the show this year to see what's happening in one of the country's top 100 outdoor art shows. A big shout out to my friends Vonnie Whitworth, Jeff Diener, and Janice Gay Maker. May your sales be often and many!