So far, 2025 has been a busy year. I have had some interesting opportunities and have changed things up a little from my routine.
I've exhibited several pieces at Tamarack's David L. Dickerson Gallery this year and have a new piece invited to their Best of West Virginia Exhibition, opening soon. Tamarack is a beautiful venue and showcases West Virginia arts and fine crafts, food products, books, music and more, all made by West Virginia artists and artisans. I'm proud to be a juried Tamarack artist.
The State Museum in Charleston has sponsored a series of juried exhibitions over the past year. I stepped a little outside my comfort zone and entered work in three of four "Inspired" exhibitions. I exhibited in "West Virginia Landscapes" and "Historic Buildings and Architecture." My entry in the "Wildlife" exhibition earned the third place award. Entry in the exhibitions was open to all West Virginia artist over 18. The next exhibition will open in a few days and showcases historic figures of our state.
I was invited to exhibit six pieces in the Stifel Fine Arts Center's "Lyrical Abstraction" this spring. Abstraction is my first love, so it was great to be part of that show along with several other artists from Wheeling, Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. This was the first time I've participated in an all abstract show, but I hope it won't be the last. I loved it. Next up at the Stifel is their annual CrossCurrents juried exhibition. I'll have two pieces included in that show which opens today.
And most recently, I was notified yesterday that my entry in the American Watercolor Society's Associate Member's Online Exhibition was accepted. This exhibit will open June 12 and run through July. "Cairn 26" is another in my long-running series of rock paintings. Rocks are an infinite study in texture, color, shape and even, sometimes, emotion. I paint many subjects and many styles, but I can't help returning every so often to my rocks.
So now we're up to date for 2025. A lot has happened so far, but I look forward to more opportunities and maybe a few surprises in the second half. I'll keep you posted.
A wise mentor once told me that if you paint from your heart you will not go wrong. I've tried to heed that advice and this year it certainly paid off.
In April, 2021 I received notification that I had been granted Signature Status in the National Watercolor Society (NWS). What an honor! Especially since the jurors are three artists whose work I so admire and respect - Katherine Chang Liu, Dean Mitchell and John Salminen.
Wow...2020 has been a year! A year full of cancellations and disappointments, social isolation and much worse. But right in the middle of all the gloom was the brightest spot in my art career. "Under Pressure" was invited to the NWS Centennial International Open Exhibition. I was on cloud nine when I found out my work would be included in the show.
Then just as I was beginning to settle down, there was another phone call to let me know that I would receive four awards...the Blick Art Materials Purchase Award, Savoir-Faire Fabriano Merchandise Award, Chartpak Excellence Merchandise Award and Frame Dimensions Merchandise Award. I am always pleased when one of my paintings finds a good home and the Blick collection is definitely just that. And the gift of all these wonderful new art supplies - I can't thank the sponsors enough for their generosity!
This year's exhibition is online only due to the pandemic, but the wonderful folks at NWS found a way to make it work. Visit the NWS website at nationalwatercolorsociety.org to view the show and learn more about their organization.
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