Fall is in the Air

Leaves and light are all changing. 

Fall is upon us. 

WOW....Busy Days

I was just filling in my calendar and was shocked at what all I had signed up for. 
It is a busy time and I hope I can keep up the pace. 

Last week, I attended the Academy of Fine Arts National Photography Show in Lynchburg! I was mesmerized by so many of the works there. I am proud to have a piece of my photography hanging in this show! David Eakin and Lisa Pitcher also have outstanding pieces that were included in this show! Congrats to the Roanoke winners! Beautiful work!

I finally moved out of my downtown studio. As of today, I am officially gone. 
I will miss my little room! I have such great memories of visits with friends and fellow artists as well as meeting many new folks. I will, for now, miss Art By Night in my studio. I will, however, be at Signature 9 Gallery for most Art By Nights since I am now affiliated with this beautiful gallery and fellow artists. 

This weekend is the Lynchburg Fine Arts festival from 10-4 PM at the E. C Glass ball-field! I have to say, this is my favorite show to do. The Lynchburg Art Club knows how to put on an art show, and the town really supports its artists! I will be in space 95, so come by and visit! 

Air and Water (C)                        oil and cold wax

Scott Kitts Salon featured my works for the month of August, and it is being featured again for the whole month of September at

1102 Brandon Ave SW Roanoke, VA 24015 (540) 904-7528 Scott does a lot to promote art! Stop by his salon on a regular basis to see what beauties he has in store for you! He also carries handmade jewelry and pottery. Thanks Scott! Until October, I have two pieces hanging at the Jefferson Center, where Wings, an ink drawing, won a second place prize! Be sure to see this show! It is a great representation of local art! October will be a busy month too. WOW. I have children's classes on a few Saturday mornings (check the Studio School of Roanoke's website for info). In addition, I just found out I had two pieces selected for the New River Art Juried Show! This is the first year there was a panel of three judges! I am truly surprised to have been included in this show. The opening is at the Va. Tech Perspectives Gallery on October 18th. Hope you can get by to see what I think will be an amazing body of work! Later in October I will be teaching at the League of Roanoke Artists three day retreat! They invited me to come back to do another cold wax workshop! I always have a good time teaching with this group! In-between all these happenings, I am trying to get the home studio set up and create a body of new works. Busy, yes, but its all good!

Mid-November, I will be teaching a cold wax workshop at the studio school. Feel free to contact me or visit the Studio School of Roanoke's website for more info. As of right now, there are a few slots open. 

Changes.....

Sometimes changes are good, even if they are not something we truly want. I got particularly comfortable in my downtown studio at the Studios on the Square. A few months ago, the building sold and I was unsure (as many of us are), of the fate of the building, and the answers were rather vague. Not being one who likes last minute surprises, especially bad ones, I decided to give my notice and leave before I unexpectedly had to do so. By mid-September, if you look for me there, I will be gone.

For now, I will work from my home studio and teach via the Studio School. My work can be seen and is available for purchase at Signature 9 Gallery, on Jefferson and Kirk. Or you can email me with questions. I will keep you all posted as I move through these changes.

I will miss all the folks, for the time being, that would visit at Art y Night. A special thanks to those of you who came to visit! I always enjoy the visits!

Until then  be well, and safe....more to come!

Misty Day                            ink drawing(C) gls

Winter Path-Cold Wax and Oil

Well, we are not even into fall and I am dreaming of winter! 

The summer has been so hot and humid, ick! 

Now that I am back at school, I am dreaming of snow days. 

Since we are not 'there yet, I decided to create a visual poem, called Winter Path. 

                                                                        12" x12" (C) POR

In and Out....

This encaustic monotype is called In and Out. 

I see windows and doors and shutters....

I feel as if I have drifted in and out of the summer break, as each day provided a 

new challenge which in turn lead to a new direction. 

Thing is, I am not finished yet, it seems. 

Lots going on. Some great, some just so-so. 

I will take them all as learning curves. 

I have been working on encaustic monotypes. What fun. 

Wax is an amazing medium and the visual possibilities are endless. 

Soon, I will be back....showing more art in a new studio space and gallery! 

Cold Wax Alchemy Class

     Last weekend I had the pleasure of teaching a workshop using cold wax medium and oil. I have to say, everyone produced some amazing work! It was a large class and there were folks who had never painted, fellow instructors, and folks who were trying new a medium. What fun!

     While this was a two day workshop, I hope they keep in touch and continue to create with this diverse medium! Thanks for a great class!!

     Enjoy viewing some of their creations!

by Adaline

by Adaline

by April

April

Bill

by Hope

Hope

by Lois

Lois and Adaline

by Lois

by Susanne 

by Susanne

by Susanne

by Suzanne

by Teresa

by Teresa

The Road Home

I had been asked to do a commission painting of a road in winter. 

Easy choice, for me.

This road, was the road home for 32 years....the driveway down to the creek. 

The road with the foggy mists, leading to the cabin. 

The road that is one of my favorite compositions. 

I believe I will do another, a lager version, for me. 

Blackbirds Singing, cold wax and oil

Blackbirds Singing (C) mixed media                     gls

     Birds in general have been fascinating to me as long as I can remember, mum told me the first word out of my mouth was, "Bu-u-u-urd."  My first experience with  blackbirds was when we lived on a farm in Fincastle in the early 1960's. 

    When I lived on 'the farm', as we called it, I discovered that there were infinite facets to nature, farming, the neighbors, and life in general. We experienced life and death, and the events that happen 

in-between. I firmly believe that 'the farm' fostered my love of nature. 

    My mind is a substrate for the images I experienced living there as a child. The mystic quality of my earlier monotypes and ink drawings are formed from the recollections earthly delights; images of steam rising from the earth as Mr. Scott and his black plow horse tilled the earth before dawn rose each spring. Cows baying for their young. Bullfrogs making the most wonderful music on hot summer days. The smell of fresh cut hay. Itching like hell after putting up the hay with my little brother and my dad. Conversations at real country stores; tall tales and sob stories.  So many memories. Life was a picnic, and I felt so free. 

    After a few years we moved to the city. While life was good there, it was not the same. Country remained in my heart. I never stopped being amazed by nature, especially the birds. Blackbirds Singing represents one of those etched memories. 

     In the bottom right corner, maybe you can see a faint image of a figure, perhaps longing to fly, or rise above. The completed image also reminded me of a song I love, Blackbird, Blackbird . 

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly..."

Sidewalk Art Show, Roanoke, VA 2013

                           

This year, again, I will not be participating in the 55th Annual

Sidewalk Art Show. 

I will have my Studio Open from 10-5 Saturday and Sunday. 

Please stop and visit at 126 WEST Campbell Avenue, SW. 

I will be demonstrating cold wax, and perhaps encaustics!

Also come visit the artists at Studios on the Square!

Navigation....

“When walking alone in a jungle of true darkness, 
there are three things that can show you the way: 
instinct to survive, the knowledge of navigation, 
creative imagination. Without them, you are lost.” 
Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut

Navigation (C) mixed media and limestone clay on wood

Navigating...right now I feel as if I am navigating....

especially thriving now on my creative imagination. 

Navigating through the new studio...setting up tables and working 

places in the perfect spot...birthing a new familiarity 

where the visual voice can speak, 

openly...that's the star of my current navigational path. 

Spring....

Spring Pond (C) 12" x 12" oil and cold wax

Well, spring is here and I am finally able to get out in the yard and dig and plant! 

I just finished the new pond and spent most of the evening reflecting.....

past, present, and future.....

The water was so clear and crisp, reflecting all the spring colors. 

Naturally, I had to 'capture' it. 

Roanoke Open Studio Tours

Open Studios Roanoke is this coming weekend! 

I always enjoy folks coming by the working studio to say hello, talk about art, and perhaps to find the right piece to start or add to their art collections!

This year I will be in my downtown studio on the second floor (there is an elevator) on 126 West Campbell Avenue, S.W. 

(That's the end of Campbell near the Roanoke Times. 

Also, Lenore Restaurant is right below my studio; 

they have the best pizzas ever!) 

So, come on by 10-5pm Saturday and Sunday, it's free!

Spring Break= Gardening, Painting, and ART!

     I am just now getting back to blogging...I had to take a break to transplant flowers to the new beds, get back to work after spring break, and I have been working with a few new techniques I learned in a most stimulating workshop via the Studio School, by Maine artist, Pat Wheeler. I will tell you more about the process in another post. 

     I can not describe the energy in the workshop. It was wonderful to be in such a high energy, positive, and professional group! Click on the link to see Pat's website. Her work is incredible. 

Pat Wheeler

     Also over the break, each evening, I worked on painting my new home studio. I had to laugh because one evening it was snowing, yes, in April! What I found even more amusing what that I chose a white color for the paint....the name of the color....Falling Snow! I just found that amusing...or was it the paint fumes? Now the studio is painted and I am ready to start setting it up. Hopefully that will happen soon! I already have my jewelry corner ready!

     Hope your spring is as appreciated as mine! All the trees and flowers are coming up and out. So is the pollen! 

     Happy Spring everyone!

A Different Way of Painting!

This is the new home studio!!! 

Actually there is another half to it, but I need to re-photograph it. So, for now, this is a small idea of what it is like! Part will be a library and the rest for creating. 

Tomorrow, a different way of painting begins! 

WALLS and CEILING! 1,100 square feet of painting....

Priming first, then picking a color (any ideas?). 

I know it will be a horrific task, but I am excited to think about the possibilities once it is done! 

I plan on offering classes and workshops....

or just stop by for tea!

I will keep you posted as things move along!

Studio Day

Today was a great studio day! I got to spend quite some time just painting!!!!! I have had these images stored in my mental files for quite some time and today I made two come to fruition!


'Murmuration', is a mall 8" x8" study in oil and wax. I have two larger panels gessoed and my next studio day will be consumed in creating my true visions for this happening!

'It Has To Rain Sometimes' is more of a textural experiment with cold wax, oil, and charcoal. I am fascinated by the charcoal and how it merges with the oil and wax! This piece is 12" x 12".

Both pieces are available.


Also, I wanted to let you know of two show openings. 
I have had two pieces selected for each of these fine exhibitions!

11th Annual New Works Show
Jacksonville Center, Floyd, VA. 

March 22nd through May 18th 2013

Reception on Saturday, April 13th at 6pm.

Spring forward with the Jacksonville Center!  Come and explore the beautiful minds of the local art community.  Work is fresh and new like a spring morning.   It’s the perfect time of year to get out of the house and see what people have been creating over the cold winter.  Come out of hibernation and see what is blossoming in the Hayloft Gallery.  

AND

The National Juried Art Exhibition

April 5-27th, 2013

Reception April 5th, 5-8pm 
Academy of Fine Arts, Lynchburg, VA. 

Icy Days

February is icy, or can be, and has been. 

All you can do is study it, embrace it, and capture it. 

White Out (C)                oil and wax         POR

February 2013

February is HeArT month!

Heartbeat of the Soul  (C) cold wax and oil 12" x 12"

Spring is Coming

Lately I have been mesmerized by the calm of the winter. The snow, as well as the color and the designs created by the snow and the cloudy days, opened up new ways of writing the visual language. 

However, spring is around the corner and developing colors will fill the earth gradually like a time lapsed photograph. Once spring arrives, I always enjoy a ride to Bath County. Since I have had it on my mind, I decided to create another version of a place I love. 

Bath County Cascades 12" x 12" Price on request

                                                                                           oil and cold wax

February Inspirations

Ah, February is here and I love February weather.....This past week, I found the mornings particularly inspiring. I am becoming familiar with new surroundings, and finding new beauty all around me. There is a wider expanse of the sky, a view of the mountains, and on a sunny day, a lot of bright light that graces the inside the house.

February also gives me the surprise 'gift' of having the day off on snow days! This past week I had two wonderful gifts, one on Monday and another on Friday! The inspiration of the falling snow against a rising morning sun delighted me so....I HAD to capture the magic of the snowy landscape.

 Lightening (C)  16" x 16" cold wax and oil  POR

 Rain on the Mountains (C)  16" x 16" cold wax and oil  POR

Snow in the Forest (C)  12" x 12" cold wax and oil  POR 

Snowy Days

                                     Snow on the Cornfield (C)      POR 24" x 24" oil and wax

     The newly fallen snow created the most interesting patterns on a cornfield I pass each day on my way to work. The foreground is full of rich textures from the freshly cut stalks. The mountain in the background shrouded in a morning snow fog. I couldn't help but paint it. 

Ink, Oil, and Wax Featured works At Signature 9 Gallery

Ink, Oil, and Wax Featured works At Signature 9 Gallery

My works are featured at the Signature 9 Gallery in Downtown Roanoke 

through the month of January 2013. I hope you will stop by to take a peek. 

I would also like to extend a special thank you to all the fellow artists at Signature 9

who made this happen. You are the best!

301 South Jefferson Street  

Roanoke, VA 24011
(540) 342-0703