Grand Prize at the Cumming FUMC Art Festival - my pastel portrait Reflections of Zen

Well I am stunned! Thrilled and humbled to share the news that "Reflections of Zen", my pastel portrait, won the Grand Prize at the Cumming First United Methodist Church Art Festival.

Keeping with my track record, I was not there to accept the award (bummer!)  It seems I only win something when I'm absent :)  I got to view a portion of the work in the show, and I could tell I was in excellent company and this award is a true honor.

Fellow artists - I hope you check out the Festival's Group Page on Facebook and watch out for next year's event - it continues to grow, offering a wonderful opportunity to exhibit and share, and the award money and purchase awards are significant...well worth your entry!

This award is also timely as my fellow artists and I plan to gather this weekend for "Figure Drawing in the Garden",  in the same setting where I took the photo for the portrait.    This is a photo from the last time we worked in my friend's Zen garden with this model.

It's such a wonderful space, a great time to gather together and create and enjoy nature!  The light is always stunning, and it's so different from working in a studio.  I hope that wherever you are, you are creating, and sharing with your fellow artists, too.

Cumming First United Methodist Church Art Festival - A great opportunity to experience Art and Music

Over the weekend I dropped off three pieces at the Cumming FUMC Arts Festival.    I have never been to the church before, and was not only impressed by it's beauty, but the lovely people who I met.  John Hutchinson, the director of Music, has really brought together an amazing collection of Art and Professional musicians, and I hope you check out the show schedule and make time to visit.

The event lasts from May 8th thru the 22nd.  On Facebook, too!

Be sure to look for my painting, Angel of Hope, and two of my pastel drawings.

Figure Drawing and Sculpture Show is all set!!

SO excited! Last night sculptor Matt Lewis brought some gorgeous sculpture to my new shared studio space and this morning I was setting up for Mardi Gras on Main, and everything came together beautifully.  Matt's sculptures and my drawings found a wonderful dialogue, and I can't wait for everyone to see the pieces in person.

If you can't make it this evening, please contact me and I will arrange studio hours for a tour. Thank you!

Figure Now 2011 - Two Works Accepted!

I was thrilled to find out that two of my original charcoal figure drawings, Immersed and Absorbed have been accepted into Figure Now 2011.  Pieces were selected by juror Michael Grimaldi.  The show will take place at Fontbonne University Fine Arts Gallery in Saint Louis, MO. February 4th thru March 5th 2011.

Charcoal Drawing of Couple accepted into NUDE 2011

Very excited...just received an e-mail that my charcoal drawing on textured modeling paste, "Moment of Surrender", has been accepted into Lexington Art League's Nude 2011 exhibition, which will take place January 15th to March 13th in Lexington, KY!