Once upon a time that little girl mesmerized by color and texture and design stored up all those bits of magic until she could say something really special with paint. Moving frequently as a Minister’s child found me holding onto rich traditions that I loved along the way but always willing to weave in new experiences. I find that hold’s true with my paintings today as I integrate rich traditional subject matter with a fresh contemporary look that has an abstract edge to it.
I paint almost everyday as it is like breathing to me. What interests and fascinates me the most is strong sunlight and the effect that it has on color and value. That is more important to me than the actual subject that I am painting- it’s all about capturing that light and shadow relationship on different subjects.
While many subjects interest me the natural colors and intricate shapes of flowers hold a special place in my heart. I love to paint from life and only paint flowers that way. It’s a mindfulness of arranging many of my favorite things together to say something with a Still Life painting. Flowers painted in a vignette style with an abstract background has become my signature style.
Another love is painting en plein air. Nothing better than painting barefoot on the beach with the ocean waves washing over your toes as you paint! Heaven! Beautiful landscapes speak to me also. I am truly in awe of the natural beauty as I try to capture those moments with marks and paint. Quietly drawn to the timeless ebb and flow of beautiful marshes and the rhythm of ocean waves rolling back and forth. There is a Peace about them both that feeds my soul. Capturing my impressions with abstract washes of color and charcoal marks so that the painting takes me right back to that spot and moment in time.
This amazing journey has lead me to truly discovering the gift of allowing my emotions to flow with paint to form beautiful marks that become abstract paintings. I still use all those strong important fundamentals when painting abstracts but I am embracing something from deep within that core truth of myself and putting it to canvas with paint. Those paintings are especially heartfelt and connect so strongly with others it amazes me to witness that.
My work has recently been described as having a “beautiful thread of softness and grace.” I strive daily to live deeply connected to Love through Peace and Grace. My wish is that from my paintings people receive Peace and Grace through the Love that I painted them with.

Galleries

Allison Sprock Fine Art, Charlotte, NC

ArtSource Gallery, Raleigh, NC

Bennett Galleries, Nashville, TN

Gregg Irby Gallery, Atlanta, GA

The Atelier Gallery, Charleston, SC

Tyler White O’Brien Gallery, Greensboro, NC

Education

BSED, University of Georgia, 1980
Teaching Certification in Visually Impaired, Mercer University, 1981
National Art Workshops and Intensive Study/Mentoring- Continued Education 2010-2015

Exhibitions

Group Show, ArtSource Gallery, November 2015

Group Show, Bennett Gallery, 2015

Masterpieces and Minis Show, Gregg Irby, 2015

Artist in Nashville Symphony Home, 2015, Nashville, TN

Artist for Designer Tour of Homes, 2015, Raleigh, NC

Official Artist for Georgia Section, PGA of America

Artist for Southern Living Inspired Home, Georgia, 2014

Atelier Gallery, Charleston, SC, Featured Artist Month of March, 2014

Gallery 1401, Chattanooga, TN, 2013-2014
Shain Gallery, Charlotte, NC, April 2013 to August 2014
Shain Gallery, Charlotte, NC, Low Country Show, April 2013
dk Gallery, Marietta, GA, April 2013 to March 2014
dk Gallery, Marietta, GA, April Flowers Bring May Flowers Show, 2013
Anne Irwin Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Small Works Show, December 2012
Anne Irwin Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Golf Show,October 2012
Anne Irwin Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Emerging Artist Show, August 2012

Corporate and Private Collections

Official Artist for Georgia Section, PGA
Private Collection Bubba Watson, PGA
Private Collection to Davis Love III, PGA
Private Collection Sonny Seiler, Breeders of UGA Mascots
Collection- University of Georgia and UGA Campus- Butts-Mehre Building
Collection- Offices of Bulldog Club Foundation, UGA Campus
Corporate Collection- Horseshoe Bend County Club, Atlanta, GA

Professional Organizations

American Impressionist Society, 2013-2015
Oil Painter’s of America, 2013-2015
Athens Art Association, 2011-2015
Daily Paintworks, 2011, 2012
Juried Member of Daily Painter Originals, 2011

Press

Cover of Nashville Arts and Home magazine, 2015, Cover Artist for Fore Georgia Magazine, 2012