Blog

Today I hired my two neighbor kids , a brother and sister ages 8 and 10, to paint gesso on some canvases. They did a great job. They got the first coat on at least seven canvases. I needed their help, but mostly I wanted to teach them about the act of doing art not just the painting techniques you learn in classes. I wanted to teach them about the preparation, the application, the reason ...

This morning I learned that Fred Adair has died. Fred was my professor and mentor when I was at the College of William and Mary for my MEd in counseling and guidance. He was the one who supported me during those crucial days in 1972 when I was a feminist in a conservative area (I was removed from my internship at Warwick High School because of my progressive thoughts on women). He helped me decide ...

This continues my sharing from Part 1. Go there first is if you haven't already. I drew everything that could not be photographed. Rock concert and loss of hearing? No problem. I used Edvard Munch’s "scream" running away from the musicians in the background. Gay marriage in the 80’s? No problem. I asked two staffers to hold hands while I drew as fast as I could. There were no iPhones and no time to process ...

A few weekends ago, I gave a talk at Southwest Virginia Community College just before taking down my art display. You think college, you think college students, but there were alas only two that Sunday afternoon. But who could blame them. It was a gorgeous spring day in the Virginia mountains. I was going to lead with a brief ... what can a wrinkled old artist from Newport News teach you about the art you ...

The holidays have come and gone- almost- and the survivors go back to their version of normal. With the prevalence of family photo Christmas cards I now see how wonderfully (as Garrison Kellor says) above average your family members are. And there must not have been any disasters this year. They look too happy. I am now aware of many wonderful places there are in this world that you have visited (though after you factor ...

Thought I'd share some of my thought process as I get creative ... I am incubating. Not really a fun time for me. Why can't I be inspired by a new subject? Or should I play with different ways / techniques of handling the themes I have maybe become too comfortable with- dancers, musicians, people in activities. As much as I try to break away from realism I know myself well enough to accept that ...

Hi Friends, While I am waiting for my next big inspiration, I have decided to explore using my style of painting  and personalizing it to the activities of my clients. In the past, people have thought they recognized someone in my paintings.  In some cases, I have, in my own style, included known personalities into my paintings. During my career, I have painted musicians and dancers as well as people involved in sports - pretty ...

One of my favorite paintings sold the other day.  I feel privileged that the City of Hampton choose another one of my paintings to add to their permanent collection.  "Trumpet Gone Wild" is part of the 2015 Hampton Roads Convention Center Halls of Art.  The painting will continue to be displayed at the Hampton Roads Convention Center through October 28, 2015. Stop by and see the painting along with some other beautiful pieces of art ...

Gloria and Luke celebrate their 50th anniversary on Jan 30, 2015. You might find this interesting: Listen my children, if I can remember, I’ll tell you story of love in September. It happened in late nineteen sixty-four- Our country had not as yet geared up for war. The United States Navy seemed a safe place to be, Especially if you were under the sea. So he answered the call of the Submarine Service Though traveling ...

Hi to all my clients and art lovers It seems that those who love art are beginning to emerge from the depths of the post-2008 economic despair - we artists may never again see the heyday that was pre-2008 - but slowly things are looking up. I still believe that for me the best is yet to come.  I do not think that I have peaked in my art and hop you will all follow ...