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:
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j.noelle.jewelry @lauragaffke, @anniewildey @harrietmooreballard @lisa.simonds, @aliciapiccoloart @frommisstobliss,   @zestfreshpastry @the_velvetmill MaryLys Jackson

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​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!.
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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!.
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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:

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

Spring into Action

It's been a busy time in the studio creating new work for upcoming exhibitions - details coming soon. This one is fresh off the easel, a triptych which will be previewed at The New York Academy's Tribeca Ball. It's a biggie, the painting and the ball ;-)​

Click on this detail to see the full painting..

Making a painting is a very intimate personal experience. It's a journey of trials, error, doubts, fresh starts, new terriroty, surprises, hopefully successes and  finally, completion.  

The point at which you stand back and think... Hmmm, well I'm not sure there is much more I can add, without the risk of taking it into the' over worked' zone.  The painting may feel finished, but it still hangs on the studio wall,  framed by the patches of built up paint from this and previous works in progress, where  brushes have been wiped clean, or excess paint removed.  There is still a feeling of deep connection to the journey and the stages of creation. The attachment is strong.

​It is only when I see my paintings out of the studio and in a gallery or a home, that I can really see the finished piece. This new context creates a distance which allows me the opportunity to see more  of the painting's strengths and beauty, and only a glimpse of the mistakes or struggles of the journey.

It's a lovely  bonus on those occassions when I get to deliver the piece to a client's home myself, and share their excitement of seeing the painting in it's new home. I got the chance to do this last month with 'Surf in Snow'. Here it is in it's new spot.