Marc Hanson post of Maureen’s iPad sketch of him. ArtRage. 2018.
After a recent workshop down in Ocean Springs, MS, I sent teacher Marc Hanson a quick little iPad sketch of himself as a thank you for a wonderful experience. He promptly posted it on his Instagram account – surprising me greatly. I was tickled to see it and was especially delighted when it gathered 550 likes and a number of comments and questions. Wow. Thanks, Marc, for the exposure!
Marsh and Blue Skies. Oil on Linen. 20×16. 2018.
Am just back from UPS, having sent one of my ‘babies’ down to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi MS. It’s a contribution to an upcoming auction to benefit the museum. I hope someone saves me from the embarrassment of it going unsold!!!! (I’m sure they’ll let you bid long-distance if you call! Help me help me help me!). That was tongue-in-cheek! [NOT!]
For those of you in the area, the auction is going to be at a fabulous event — enjoy a beautiful home, wonderful food, and play murder-mystery as entertainment. If I were down there, I’d definitely be there! Contact the museum for tickets if you’d like to attend.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been working on portraits of my three grandchildren — a task much less ‘fraught’ than the commissioned portrait I showed you last time. Here’s the one that’s farthest along, after about eight hours of work. I see lots of ‘issues’ still to be resolved, but it’s in a much better place than the other one ever reached. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Four Months. Oil on Linen. 9 x 12. 2018.
I spent a helluva lot of hours on this grandmother/grandson portrait. It took me over a year and a half(!!) — though most of that time was spent dreading painting, rather than putting brush to linen. It was commissioned by a friend and based on her photos from years earlier, rather than observation — never a great thing.
Grandmother and grandson, with hydrangeas. Oil on linen.
My next post will show a portrait that I did in a weekend ~~ things work (and look) much better without anxiety!
I’ve been busy on our Gallery B exhibit, which kicked off last night with a public reception. The weather cooperated and a number of folks came by to enjoy chocolates and art.
I woke up today with different thoughts on my mind ~~ recent denigrations of people based on their home country (and skin color??). I love the phrase ‘out of Africa’ for its pithy recognition that all of us are children of Africa. We have a common lineage. Where we settled ~~ hot equator or cooler clime ~~ determined whether our skins darkened or not. I’m sensing T-shirts, mugs and other swag for this one!
Out of Africa. Original iPad Painting. 2018. 1:1 aspect ratio.
Here’s the final painting I’ve just finished for the Gallery B show that started yesterday in downtown Bethesda. This one is close to home ~~ drama glimpsed during a morning walk. A blindingly white, newly refinished house, over which a white-crusted eastern plane tree rose like a majestic crown, over which floated the daintiest puffy white clouds I’d seen in awhile. I quickly captured the stunning column. Here.
Crispy White x 3. Oil on linen panel. 2018. 16×20.
This one seems to pair well with yesterday’s painting. I wanted to do them simultaneously so as to capture, if I could, somewhat of the same, dreamy, calm, mysterious feel. (It’s actually based on a faded Polaroid photo I have in my stash.)
Day Dreaming in Cream. Oil on Arches oil paper. 2018. 12×12.
Today’s painting is decidedly different from the others you’ve seen so far. It’s one of two that have a different color palette and strike a very dreamy mood (in my opinion). We happened on this scene while zipping along on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It reminded me of a life very different from my own. Fortunately, folks on the Eastern Shore and in my own Biloxi, Mississippi, still take the time for such contemplation.
Fishing in Cream. Oil on Arches Oil Paper. 2018. 12×16.
This scene is a souvenir of a wonderful long weekend my husband and I spent at a waterfront inn south of Easton, MD one lazy August. Both sons and their families were there, along with one set of parents in law. There were white lawn chairs, hammocks under beautiful pines, and a fire circle down the shore. We went crabbing in the bay, fishing in the river, and had a wonderful crab feast to top things off.
Wade’s Point Inn. Oil on Linen Panel. 2017. 12 x 12.
You’re invited to a ‘Reception with Chocolate‘, Friday, Jan. 12, 6 to 8 pm. at Gallery B in downtown Bethesda, MD. The Bethesda Urban Partnership invited our artist group, the Seven Palettes, to exhibit in its showcase gallery from January 10th through February 3rd. This event celebrates our opening.
If you can’t join us then, there will be other opportunities:
A Design Seminar ~ ‘How to Integrate Artwork into Your Home’ (featuring interior designer/artist Pat Choquette), Jan. 21st, 1 to 3 pm.
A ‘Reception with Champagne’ celebrating the closing. Jan. 28th, 2 to 5 pm.
Regular Gallery Hours ~~ Jan. 10 through Feb. 3rd, Wed. ~ Sat., 11 am to 5 pm.
But if you want CHOCOLATE, swing by on the 12th. Here’s a peek at last year’s champagne reception.
Reception at Gallery B. January 2017.