Branching Out

I am not a watercolor painter. I never have been. Watercolor always seems so backwards to how I usually paint. Plus, I need to know that any mark I lay down, I can paint over if it doesn't work. But, for my vintage movie poster project, I need to do some studies of the final pieces, and watercolor makes the most sense as the medium of choice. So, attempting to lay aside my prejudices, last night I did this piece. Not too bad for being the first watercolor painting I have done since I was a little kid. And, a big thanks to my friend Rebbecca for the fake title of this film.

Looking Back

Exactly 3 years ago today, I sat down in my sun room to do my first daily painting. I had been stuck and unable to paint for a while prior to that day, so it was a momentous event. The past three years have seen so much change, both personally and professionally, and it is fun to take a look back and take stock of those changes.

In three years, I have gone from painting in the corner of my apartment,


To my beautiful studio space in Falls Park in downtown Greenville.



And, I have gone from painting little still lifes,



To specializing in old family photographs and 1940's and 50's images.



Things have been both good and bad, scary and exciting, but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. And, I have been able to go from just sharing my pieces with my close friends and family, to sharing them with people all over the US (and a few other countries) who I have never met. Thank you to all my new fans and those who have been with me from the beginning. Here's to many more years!

Giving Thanks in Times of Plenty

11"x 14"
Oil on Masonite
$200

I know many of you have seen the first version I did of this picture. It is from a photo of my dad's side of the family sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. (Dad is the little boy in the striped shirt on the left side.) I needed a new painting for The Little Art Gallery in Raleigh, so I decided to revisit this image. It is always interesting repainting an image after a few years. Things that I barely noticed the first time around become important elements, and what seemed so vital to the piece previously gets left out.

Greenville Seen opens this Friday

I posted this piece a while back just before I submitted it for the juried show, Greenville Seen. I was thrilled to learn that my piece is one of only 18 that made it in to the show. The opening reception is this Friday from 6-9pm at the Metropolitan Arts Council gallery at 16 Augusta St. Greenville Seen is an exhibit of works by 18 artists depicting the Greenville area. The show runs January 15 through February 26. Also, the Greenville Museum of art will be picking at least one piece to be included in it's yearlong show, A Portrait of Greenville. You don't want to miss it!

Congratulations Andrew and Rebecca!

My friends Andrew and Rebecca got married just after New Years, but I didn't quite have this piece finished for them yet. Congrats guys, and I hope you had a great time in the Keys!

A Family Affair

Before Christmas, I had a woman come in to the studio to commission the first of these two paintings. It was one of my favorite commissions, partly because of the beautiful photograph, but mostly because she told me that this was her Christmas present to herself! She told her husband that she would set everything up, and he only had to pick it up and not show it to her until Christmas morning. (Take notes, ladies! That's the way to get what you want ;)

Just after Christmas, she came in to commission the second piece for her husband's birthday. While they are very different pieces, I think they work really well together. The photos were both probably early 40's, and have an air of everyday life about them. I think they make a lovely set!

Enjoying the View

Some of my work is currently carried by a gallery in Raleigh, The Little Art Gallery. Every so often I get a call from them about doing a commission. I was thrilled when the photo for this piece showed up at the studio! It's not often that I get to paint such a great view!

Just a Peek

One of my favorite things is a huge stretch of wall that can be covered in a long row of paintings. I was very fortunate to get this one at Coffee and Crema! Some of these pieces are older, but knowing that I had so much wall to cover, I added several new pieces to the set. Want to see them in person? Come out to the opening reception this Friday night from 6-9pm. Coffee and Crema is located on Atrium Blvd, between Laurens Rd. and Pleasantburg Dr.

I am especially excited about this show because my friend Stephanie Fagan Bobal is coming to play. Stephanie is an amazingly talented musician, plus she recently got married! Check out her music at http://www.myspace.com/stephaniefagansings

Just a Little Something

My newest group of vintage ladies (plus a few old favorites) are up at Coffee and Crema here in Greenville! Come check out these new paintings, enjoy a great cup of coffee, and listen to music by the lovely and talented Stephanie Fagan! Could you ask for a better evening than that?

Friday, January 8, 6-9pm opening reception
The paintings will be on display through the month of January

Coffee and Crema is located in the Fresh Market shopping center on Atrium Rd., just off of Pleasantburg Dr. and Laurens Rd. in Greenville, SC. Visit http://Coffeeandcrema.com for more information.