Gloria Coker Featured in Local Magazine

Exciting News to Share!  Gloria is featured in the Peninsula Guest Speakers Magazine for May 2012.  Check out the terrific article about her on page 16.  Come back and let us know your response to the article.

Sharing Another’s Thoughts

Thought you might enjoy this testimonial from a long time patron of my work.  The best artwork is the most shared.

When I look at Gloria’s web site, or her art in my home, or her art in galleries from the East to the West Coast, I am always struck by the vibrancy of her colors, the fluid motions of her subjects. Even static objects have life. I have been privileged to know Gloria for over three decades, beginning with her court sketches for the Daily Press.

Gloria has taught me to look at art with a different perspective, to appreciate the diversity of subjects and techniques from one artist to the next. I have followed her work through the years, and now I can look around my own collection and see her development and maturation as an artist.

From hand colored pen and ink scenes, to watercolors; from local historic buildings, to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street and city scenes; from action scenes of people at play, to people living their music; from figure studies to her iconic dancers. While her style has developed and evolved over the years she continues to capture the life, the vitality, the essence of the subject with both her vibrant colors and her fluid, almost mesmerizing, brush strokes.

Thank you for letting us see life with such unbridled joie de vivre. Thank you for being my friend.  Thank you for letting me grow with you.

Carlton H., Newport News, VA

Can You Find the Babes?

There are several female figures lurking in these woods. Perhaps 10.  Can you find them all?

Babes in the Woods
30 x 30

Revising Bourbon Street Painting

Another new painting in acrylics – or rather a redof an older one that never really satisfied me.

The subjects were actually performing in the street in New Orleans in front of a jazz band. I wanted more energy in the painting so there are areas of loose edges and scumbling to allow the viewer to read into the painting.

Bourbon Street Dancers (revised)
22×28

Windows at Harbor Gallery

Thought I’d share a the beautiful displays from the Harbor Gallery with you.  This is a lovely gallery and they are featuring my art right now.   If you’re in Norfolk, Virginia, stop by.

You’re Invited to the Opening Gala

Helping great causes is near and dear to my heart.  Norfolk Academy is again using my art as a fundraiser.  The Bobby Socks painting shown here is included in this show.

Can you make it to the Opening Gala on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 6-8 PM?  It’s a great opportunity to get a first look at the art before someone else swoops it up.  The show will continue through May 10th from 10 AM – 2 PM each day.  Norfolk Academy is located at 1585 Weslyan Dr., Norfolk, Virginia.

Let me know if you can make!  Would love to see you there!

New Paintings at the Harbor Gallery

I have a number of new paintings showing at the Harbor Gallery.  There are 11 paintings on display ranging in size from 8×10 to 36×48.  What a great chance to see these paintings hung and image how they would look in your home or office.

If you’re in the Norfolk area, it’s a great way to see my fine art in person. You can visit the Harbor Gallery at 1508 Colley Ave. Norfolk, Virginia.  Not sure where it is, give them a ring at:  (757) 627-2787

Music makes the Mood

The figures here are less realistic than in some of my other musicians paintings.

Size 24×30

Artistic Shower Insight

You step into the shower having removed your glasses or contacts and proceed to wash your hair, but OMG which bottle has the shampoo (because you can’t see a thing and they ALL LOOK ALIKE).  The nerds who design the tubes and jars and bottles either bathe with their glasses on or don’t at all. And we are left to choose from products which announce the brand name in large type and everything else in teeny type or French!  Or yellow on white or clear jars. To which I say what the hay!!!!!

So I resort to my trusty sidekick the magic marker. BW for body wash, a giant S for, you guessed it, shampoo etc etc.

Don’t get me started on the samples – plastic unreusable litter.

White Dancer in the Forest

A little on the sentimental and nostalgic side! I don’t know anyone who runs through the woods in a long white dress.

Size 24×48