I was recently invited to make an artist video. I said yes I'd love to. But the truth is up until now I've been resistant to making one.

luckily I watched my stepson Jack create a video in iMovie for his art school portfolio last month. It looked a little complicated seeing the backend of his movie, all the slicing of layers of video, sound, music, and titles, But it also looked like a lot of fun watching him make tweaks along the way, fine-tuning his vision.

I love how he picks things up so quickly and dives right in. Rarely is there any hesitation, it's inspiring. I'll miss having him around when he heads off to college this fall.

As I sat down to start, I realized my resistance wasn't so much about learning to use iMovie, it was actually resistance to putting myself out there in a video. I felt vulnerable and still do. But as I pulled some images into iMove I started to have fun and enjoy the creative aspect of trying to make a video and tell a story, so here you go. 

Put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa, sit back and hopefully enjoy. I'd love to know what you think ;-)

I'm kind of excited to make more so watch out for version 2.0 with video footage and narration!

Cheers

This month I will be exhibiting in TriBeCa, alongside fellow alumni and faculty of The New York Academy of Art. The show is curated by Rick Davidman of the former DFN gallery, Kim Power graduate of the school, and art dealer Elizabeth Garvey.

Thinking about the show this month reminded me of a time back in 2005 when I found myself wandering around TriBeCa on a Saturday afternoon. I came across some exquisite figurative sculptures in the windows of a building that turned out to be the New York Academy of Art. The sign also said that it was a graduate school for figurative Art and that HRH the Prince of Wales was the Parton.  I had goosebumps!  

I had been working with a coach to help me figure out how I could transition from my career at the British Consulate to an artistic one.  Returning to education and graduate school was something I was considering but hadn't fully explored. Changing career and moving to another city seemed overwhelming. So as I stood outside the school, a 2o minute walk from apartment, I couldn’t help but think this was a sign. I walked in and picked up their catalogue.  

I felt pretty excited and inspired, so with a spring in my step I carried on walking.  A block or two away, I found myself again stopping because of something exquisite in a window. This time it was DFN gallery and a figurative painting that caught my eye. I walked in to take a closer look at the exhibition and felt I'd stepped into a little piece of heaven. I was surrounded by amazing figurative paintings by Alyssa Monks. I couldn't help but smile when I looked at the catalogue to find out she was a graduate of the Academy.

I heard a little voice inside say 'I'm going to study there,' it seemed like fate. I wasn't sure how I could make it happen, but the seed was sewn.

Fast forward to Sept of 2006, when I walked into the building as a mature student in the MFA program. I spent a magical three years there, two as an MFA student and one as a post-graduate fellow.  Shortly thereafter, I also had the opportunity to participate in a couple of group shows with Rick at DFN gallery before it closed. 

It will be nice to think of these memories and connections, as I return to TriBeCa this month and see the painting Deep Water III hanging in some good company. 

Feeling very grateful.

As a painter I am always looking for interesting and exciting ways to apply paint, and make marks that express and describe the energy and movement of water.  The sweet spot is that place in between freedom and control where the spontaneity and energy of the mark is preserved, but is also successful in describing the form.

For the past 5 years I've had the opportunity to assist Dan with these two workshops and they are the highlight of my year. Whether you do one or both, they make for a wonderful creative retreat in the peaceful and picturesque Omega Campus in Rhinebeck NY. These workshops always seem to attract a beautiful group of people.  I'm so looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting some new ones! ​

Featuring:
Alan Bray, Dina Brodsky, Zaria Forman, Cornelia Foss, April Gornik, Susan Grossman, John Hardy, Catherine Howe, Shiva Jlayer, Lisa Lebofsky, Alyssa Monks, Mary Reilly, Joan Semmel, Susan Shatter, Keiji Shinohara, Daniel Sprick, Emma Tapley, Tula Telfair, Annie Wildey, Andrew Wyeth, Jamie Wyeth

About the Curators
Rick Davidman, a financial advisor based in New York, opened DFN Gallery in SoHo in 1996.  At first, DFN exhibited artwork in various styles and media – painting, photography, sculpture, video, and installation. There were also frequent theatre and dance performances, as well as book and poetry readings.  But by the time Rick moved the gallery to Tribeca in September 2001, the focus of the program became contemporary representational painting and drawing.  Many of the artists in the Land & Sea & Sky exhibition, such as Susan Grossman, Mary Reilly, Alyssa Monks, and Zaria Forman, were just beginning their careers when they became represented by DFN.  Others, including Cornelia Foss, Tula Telfair, John Hardy, and Susan Shatter were already quite established, but were attracted to the energy and commitment of DFN. Rick closed DFN after 15 years in 2011, but he continues to work behind the scenes advising artists, dealers, and collectors.  Rick also curates exhibitions in galleries and public spaces around the U.S. and Europe that feature many of today’s top artists. 
 
MM Fine Art is the collaboration of Peter Marcelle and Catherine McCormick. With over a half century of combined experience in the art business, they work closely with both firmly established blue chip and emerging contemporary artists and present exhibitions regularly in both NYC and Southampton, NY.  In this exhibition, noted gallery artists Daniel Sprick and Cornelia Foss are included, along with works by Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, in whom the gallery specializes.
 
Land & Sea & Sky, which opens August 4th   at MM Fine Art in Southampton, predominantly features paintings and drawings by artists who are well known for landscapes – such as April Gornik, Tula Telfair and Cornelia Foss. Also in this exhibition are landscapes by artists better known for their figurative works, including Joan Semmel, Alyssa Monks and others.
 
Rick, Catherine and Peter have known and worked together for many years and are excited to bring some of their favorite artists together.  Many of the artists are close friends and are thrilled to have this opportunity to show together in Southampton on the first weekend in August.
Read more about the curators and the exhibition here

MM Fine Art, 4 North Main Street, Southampton, NY
www.mmfineart.com

Celebrating Summer
Chester Gallery
Opening Friday,August 4, 5-8pm
​

This will be the first time in 62 years that Easter has fallen on April fools day. So I'd keep your wits about you, in case the pranksters in your family or circle of friends are feeling frisky!

Did you know that April 1st used to mark the new year up until the 1500s when the Gregorian calendar took over from the Julian calendar. Those who forgot the change and attempted to celebrate New Year’s  on the wrong date were teased as “April fools.” 

April 1st has come to mark new beginnings for me and holds quite a few memories. Rewind a few years...

It was always a day to watch your back growing up in the UK, especially at my high school. It was often the teachers you had to watch out for not the kids! Every year our mischeivous art teacher would manage to out smart and out prank us, in often elaborate ways, planned over months! I feel for one hook line a sinker one year...  I was an excited but insecure 17-year-old, high on life after being accepted into art school. That is until I received a formal letter on April 1st, from the art school, with instructions for an essay and self-directed project. Loaded with art speak gobbledy gook, my heart stopped and my excitement turned to fear and dread. That morning, I hurried into the art room in a panic waving the letter at my art teacher, who had a huge smirk on his face. Thankfully, he didn’t leave me in my misery too long. I’d been had, well and truly! Fast forward 5 years...

...At 24, young and carefree, I arrived in the US at JFK airport, on April's Fools Day 1989. I was just as relieved to find my best friend from high school, waiting for me, as she was to see me in the flesh.  I think both of us were quietly suspecting this cross Atlantic reunion might just be a prank.  Fast forward quite a few more years... 

...After an 18 year career with the British Government in New York City.  I decided to start a new career in the Arts.  My last day at work kept getting pushed back until March 31st and yep, April 1st, 2006 I, began another new chapter as a full-time MFA student at the New York Academy of Art...

...fast forward a few more years...

...on April 1st, 2012, I married my husband at Dubois Beach in Stonington, CT. became a stepmom, and settled into a new life in Mystic, CT with a studio a the Velvet Mill.​

,Today, ​I came across a post at @Elisemorrispaint. Ellie had been invited to join the #atouchofkind project initiated by @featherandwild. To join you would offer to pay something forward and invite your followers to do the same. I've always wanted one of Elise Morris's paintings, and love the idea.  So I jumped on the project with my Acadia Rocks art print.  Want to join me in a @touchofkind project too, and receive my art print?  Here's what you have to do ....

Hop on over to my instagram post add a comment, letting me know what gift you have to pay it forward, and tag a friend (your gift doesn’t have to be art by the way).  Then on Friday March 16, I’ll pick one of you to receive my print.  In exchange, you promise to pay it forward.

Let's spread some kindness! 

On International Women's Day, I want to give a shout out to all of the women at Velvet Mill!  The Velvet Mill has been home to my studio since moving to Mystic CT 7 years ago. It's a community of artists, small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since being at the mill, many tenants have come and gone and now I'm one of the old timers ;-).  I created our tenant website thevelvetmill.com, a few years back, so that we would have a presence on the web and visitors could find information on our growing community.  It was only today Intl Women's Day, that I realized women probably make up the majority of the tenants with over 45 women artists and small business. This photo highlights just a few great women. Visit our wider community online or in person at thevelvetmill.com.

Follow these lovely ladies on instagram:
⠀
j.noelle.jewelry @lauragaffke, @anniewildey @harrietmooreballard @lisa.simonds, @aliciapiccoloart @frommisstobliss,   @zestfreshpastry @the_velvetmill MaryLys Jackson

​

As an artist I tend to keep my eyes peeled for unique gifts from independent artists and crafts people. So this year I wanted to share some of their creations for the holidays. There is something at every price point for every budget ;-)

​Take a look, there might something for you or a loved one! 

​First Snow
10x10,
limited edition 100,
$100

I was the new artist in residency at the William Steeple Davis House, in Orient LI.  and excited for my first winter outside of NYC. By all accounts we were gonna get hit hard. I made sure I had supplies for the big storm, and located the snow shovel in the shed. I was all set, or so I thought!

The wind howled, and the house rattled all night. It was exciting but also a little unnerving, I was home alone in this sweet  but drafty 1800's cottage.

I woke with bright sunshine streaming through the windows, a crisp brilliant blue sky, a blanket of clean white snow on the ground, and POWER. It was gorgeous!.
​
Until I looked out of the kitchen door window over to the shed, and saw the 5 ft wide 26 inches deep snow drift between me and the snow shovel, uh oh!.
​
Luckily my Macgyver skills kicked in, and I dug myself out with a dustpan and brush! So much for advanced preparation! 

Purchase First Snow and other prints in the Land & Sea studio print collection here:

​Fog at Gardniers Bay
10x10,
limited edition 100,
$100

Where the wetlands meet the beach and the Peconic Bay. Moving from NYC to Orient, I became so aware of nature and the cycle of the seasons. Early morning fog always made for a peaceful quite and calm start to the day.

I would rise and walk a couple hundred yards to the country store to get coffee, an egg sandwich and have a chat with the old giffers. My nickname for the men /retirees who would gather early mornings at the back of the store and put the world to rights.

They seemed cautious about this female British artist on their turf, but caution quickly turned to curiosity, which turned to a mutual fond affection! It was a nice way to connect with the community as almost everyone in the village popped into the country store! fond memories of a special place.

Purchase First Snow and other prints in the Land & Sea studio print collection here:

View of exhibition at Avondale Arts

A big thank you to everyone that was able to make it to the opening of my current show. Sustaining a career as an artist is challenging, but ultimately the pleasure and enjoyment I get from creating and sharing my work is worth it, I feel fortunate to do what I love. Thanks to YOUfor your interest and support. 

For those that couldn't make it. Here's a few installation shots. I was thrilled with how the paintings looked in the space. The gallery has such nice casual feel with lovely natural light, and beautiful views out on to the water.

After spending months with the work in the studio, it's always a surprise to see them out in the world and on display. It's kind of like hanging with good friends in a yoga class, then meeting up with them at a special event, all dressed, groomed and looking their best. You almost don't recognize them!

I'm also grateful and interested to hear how people connect with the work: One visitor shared that she was bought to tears in front of one painting (I think that's a good thing!). For a retired couple, heading back to Colorado, a painting represents their first joint art purchase in their new relationship.  Another is a celebration of 30 years of marriage, while one young couple who's art tastes aren't so compatable, found a painting they both love! ​

Detail of a new wave painting

Join myself, Ard Berg and Jon Volk, when we return to paint In Maine again this summer!

Through the New York Academy of Art’s Continuing Education program we invite you to join us for a  “Painting Acadia Plein Air retreat-workshop”.  8 days of painting, 7 nights lodging, 6 days of 3 square meals, presentations, optional instruction, and fun!  all for $1,445 per person. Open to any budding beginners or experiences Plein Air painters. 

VISTA
Union Arts Center
Exhibition dates: April 22nd- June 4th
Artist’s Reception: May 27th 12-4pm

'Napatree Wave" above,  will be up for auction
'Take Home a Nude'  art auction and party is a wonderful opportunity to grow your art collection with work by some fabulous emerging and established artists!  Proceeds from this event go to support the New York Academy of Art and its scholarship programs