Black Eyed Susans on the Mountain to Sea Trail

This field is so beautiful, I have returned several times to it. It is along both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mountain to Sea Trail. The field is full of flowers and grasses. These are color pencil sketches I have completed recently. Some are my normal level of realism, but others are more abstract and simple. 

Nature Reconsidered Exhibit Juror's Statement

 

It was nice to win 1^st Place in the Nature Reconsidered Exhibition. The Juror's Statement by Myles Calvert, Assistant Professor – Printmaking, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Winthrop University is very well written. 

Considerations such as warm paper hue, make this graphite drawing / textured rubbing, a stand out work. Gestural marks, which are seemingly spontaneous are, in fact, carefully considered and logically placed. Areas of intense detail allow for a restful area of photographic calm, before moving to texture-heavy offerings of what a tree should feel like. The drawing allows for artistic freedom but does not fall short of pairing a refreshing use of positive / negative space and stimulating the mind to what branches may even smell like. A familiar image ratio combined with unusual cropping, dictates a contemporary expression of a truly explored and historical subject.

This statement reminds me of how my friend Don Michael can write about art! 

 

Drawing Released from Quarantine!

 

One of my drawings got the COVID virus and has been quarantined since March. Well… not really. The drawing, number one in the Tree Series was part of an exhibition in Cary, NC. The exhibit evolved from in person to virtual, but the building where the exhibition was to take place was closed for three months. The drawing has since recovered fully and returned to my studio in Charlotte. So a happy ending for all concerned!

Mountain to Sea Trail Color Pencil Drawings Part 2

Just having a great time with these pastel sketches. They are 7 x 10 inches, so an easy small size. I am trying to complete in one or two sittings at my studio. For this one, I got down in the weeds or wildflowers so to speak! 

Mountain to Sea Trail painting

This scene was so beautiful that I had to paint it. It is hard to do as a watercolor because the light green field in the mid-ground. But what the heck, I tried it anyway! The filed was full of a grass with a purple or lavender bloom. This is along the Mountain to Sea Trail where it runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway. A double whammy of greatness. 

People Are Strong virus face sketch book series

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Old Spruce Series: Drawing number 6

This is a graphite drawing 18 x 24 on paper. These drawings are about texture. This tree has an unusual spiral texture in the truck which was fascinating and fun the draw. 

Vicarious Exhibition Photos

The Vicarious Exhibition opening reception was very well attended! My Weight drawings were displayed in the center of the gallery, hung Japaneses scroll style with magnets. After my talk people gravitated to the center drawing saying it was positive and uplifting. 

VICARIOUS NOVEMBER 1, 2018 – JANUARY 5, 2019

Vicarious Exhibition - Opening November 1st.

VICARIOUS
NOVEMBER 1, 2018 – JANUARY 5, 2019

Through the theme of empathy, Vicarious invites dialogue around issues related to veterans and the veteran experience, using art as the vehicle for discussion and reflection. This multi-disciplinary exhibition will feature paintings by San Francisco-based Dan Bayless, drawings and paintings by Charlotte-based artist and Army Veteran Wil Bosbyshell, glass work by Pomona, California-based artist and Vietnam veteran Michael Aschenbrenner, prints, objects and sculpture by Drew Cameron, installation work by Charlotte-based artist and Navy veteran Suje Garcia, a documentary produced by Susie Films, a virtual reality project produced by writer, academic, speaker and Army veteran Paula Broadwell, and artworks from graduates of the Chicago-based CreatiVets Program. The exhibition will invite conversation around the power of art to reach into the psyche in a way nothing else can.

The gallery is partnering with Veterans Bridge Home, which will receive 5% of profits from art sales from the exhibition.

ITINERARY OF EVENTS

Thursday, November 1, 2018: Exhibition OpeningArtist reception from 6p – 8p, program begins at 7p with remarks, introduction of artists, the premier of the Susie Films documentary at 7p, followed by Paula Broadwell’s presentation on the use of virtual reality to create empathy, and an opportunity to experience her virtual reality project.

Friday, November 2, 2018: Lunch and Exhibition Walk-Through with the Artists | 11:30-1:00pmDan Bayless, Wil Bosbyshell, Paula Broadwell, and CreatiVets graduates Angela Cole and Bart Crowe will share their work with attendees. $20, RSVP required, limited seating.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018: CLT Millennial Art Program Exhibition Experience | 6:00-7:30pmCreatiVets presentation; “Last Letters” participatory performance with Suje Garcia; VR experience with Paula Broadwell.

Vicarious Exhibition: Fire Series

The Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art is hosting an exhibition of art by Veterans. I am one of the featured artists and veterans. These paintings from my fire series will be in the exhibition. The above watercolor is titles Cave Fire. The fire in this painting illuminates petroglyphs from the American Southwest. It is 18 x 24 inches. I used a layering technique which resulted in over 20 layers of color.

Fire Light, Acrylic on canvas.

Flame, watercolor on paper.