Artscapes : A Celebration of Summer Art Show

artscapes art show

Are you Missisng the Sun? With hot beach landscapes, juicy mouthwatering colors and delicious shady retreats - it may just be the only summer we see in New Jersey this year!

So join me for the opening of Artscapes : A Celebration of Summer this Wednesday evening and let's see if we can't encourage the sun to put in an appearance.

Just 2 minutes from Rt 78 exit 43 Opening Reception : June 24th 5 - 8pm June 24th - September 12 2009 The Summit Medical Group Lawrence Pavilion : Lower Lobby Gallery 1 Diamond Hill Road Berkley Heights, NJ 07922

www.summitmedicalgroup.com

Look What Lulu Found in the Garden - Oh Deer

surprise

Nestled in the weeds at the side of my driveway, sheltering from the drizzling rain, the spindliest wobbliest little bambi.

Now I know it'll grow up to strip my garden faster than an all-you-can-eat buffet in a college town, but I'll gladly trade my hosta for such a joyful surprise on such a grey morning.

I'm so glad that I have reclassified my weeds as "volunteers" and left them to flourish and bloom in the autumn.

"Carbon Footprints" : online charcoal still life drawing exhibition

I realize for those of you across the country and on the far side of the world, that it may not be quite so convenient for you to drop by and see some of my exhibitions.Well there's no excuse with this show. Carbon Footprints May 30 - June 30 2009

"Carbon Footprints" features the new charcoal still life drawings of my daily detritus, together with some thoughts from me about why I find my rubbish quite so fascinating.

waterbottle charcoal still life drawing

Exclusive Art Preview : Studio Sale

Recently I have been doing a lot of art shows in New Jersey, which is great if you live locally and can stop by to say Hi and see my work. For those of you further afield, I will be holding an online Studio Sale at the end of May.

The new "Name a Sketch" charcoal drawings will be featured at an introductory price for my fans before I unleash them on the world, with a special preview weekend for collectors. Entry to the Studio Sale will be by invitational email only, so make sure you are signed up to my mailing list to receive the link.

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L&M Art Gallery Reception : Thank you!

 Thank you to all of you who came to visit the show at the L&M Gallery this Sunday. It was an excellent opening, very well attended with good food and some great musical entertainment as well. A feast from all the senses.

I met lots (and lots!) of lovely people, and some great artists too. And, as you can see from the empty hook, I found some good homes for a couple of pieces too. The show is open until the end of March, so drop by if you are close.

Thank you also to fellow exhibitor Al Martin for sharing this photo. He has some beautiful close-up shots of unravelling ferns and I'm rather fond of his friendly crawfish. Take a look at his website for a floral afternoon break.

www.albertmartinphotography.com/gallery

L&M Art Gallery Opening Reception

Just a quick reminder that the opening for "Stock the Food Pantry" is this Sunday 2-5pm The weather forecast is for a balmy 56°, so shake off the cabin fever and come and enjoy the Spring sunshine. Maybe even pick up a new piece of art to spruce up the house in the annual Spring Clean.

I have just delivered the work for the show at the L&M Art Gallery and am excited that I have two booths! I have included some of my larger color pencil drawings as well as the popular miniatures and I am happy that the new oil paintings will be getting their first airing. I will be eager to hear your thoughts on them.

I managed to sneak a peak at the other artists in the show and there is such a diverse range of work from the 18 New Jersey artists included. I saw some great photography which I have my eye on; abstract as well as realistic painting; some lovely encaustic pieces and an unusual enamel painting; beautiful ceramics and silver work. Something, in short, for everyone.

I hope I have enticed you out of the cabin and into the sun again. In the immortal words of Mole in Wind in the Willows - "Hang the Spring Cleaning" come and have some fun!

Opening Reception : Sunday March 15th 2 - 5pm Show : March 15 - 28

L&M Art Gallery 124 Elmora Ave Elizabeth, NJ 07208

Visit www.lmartgallery.com for directions. Ample parking in the rear of the building

Today's Muse is brought to you by : Jack Frost (and by the number 6)

I have always had to take Hallmark's word for it that snowflakes are in fact delicate little lacy stars...until today. My reward for getting out and clearing the driveway was to be showered with these beautiful little wonders.

Please forgive a 30-something year old getting way too excited about snow, but a child growing up in England is deprived of many good snow days. Despite the fact that driving down treacherous hills and clearing a long steep driveway are more in order than snowmen and sledging these days, there is still a joyous bubbling in my stomach ever time the flakes start fluttering.

I hope there will always be magic in the snow.

Today's Muse is brought to you by Lulu a very elegant German Shepherd

For the past month I've been meaning to photograph Lulu basking in the morning sun, but never quite got around to it. Today I was heading down to the studio to start a new painting, and instead of hopping into the warm vacant seat, Lulu starts padding around the studio and up and down the hallway like she does when she wants to go out. So I go back to let her out into the garden, but instead she jumps straight onto her bed and fixes me with a meaningful stare.

Today she wants her picture taken. Today she is a film star, not a shy teenager slinking out of the shot as quickly as possible. Today she is my muse.

Tomorrow she will be my Snacktastic Fluffbag of a dog again

Hire Me to draw a Portrait of your Home : Custom House Paintings

After an excellent article in Art Calendar Feb 2009 by Molly Crabapple - I have been working on a new "Hire Me" page to promote my House Portraits. I always enjoy reading Molly's contributions and often flick to those first. I can count on them to be stuffed with useful ideas and advise. Good and MEATY, tell-it-like-it-is prose...with lashings of gravy. - Yum - I've found one of the loveliest commissions to work on is the celebration of a family home - Mom and Dad get the original, perhaps as a retirement present, with prints for all your brothers and sisters.

There's no need to fix the place up either - Artistic License allows me to overlook anything you'd rather not immortalise. And if you've only just moved in and the only thing you're proud of is the front door...well I do those to. I'll even paint it a different color if you want and make "We've Moved" note cards to send to your friends.

You needn't limit your ideas for a commissioned drawing to just your beautiful home - how about capturing that favorite summer retreat by the lake; or the romantic view from your Honeymoon Hotel Window; or the magic of Grandma's spectacular garden. What place holds a special place in your heart?

If you are anything like me, you tend to have the best ideas three days before the event. So for all us Last Minute Geniuses there is also a Gift Certificate. So if you have maybe left it just a weeny bit late or you cannot obtain photos, the Certificate will come in an elegant presentation pack  - such an original house warming or wedding present. (rush shipping available)

Spit and Polish : shiny new art resume

Well, THAT was a busy weekend. I have been polishing up my resume for an upcoming show entry and boy did it take some polishing. So after digging through the archive shoebox of old programs and postcards I unearthed some nice juicy quotes to include - something I didn't realise I should do.

As I did not attend art school, I have always felt a bit embarrassed that there was nothing meaty to put under "Education".  I would wonder whether to gloss over the fact and leave out this section altogether and I was always rather glad that the Education section is traditionally at the end of the document. But after reading "Brag" by Peggy Klaus,I have decided to shout it out loud.

It is what makes me different.

It is my story.

It is the first and last paragraph, the framework for my new resume.