COPPER KNOLL FARMS SPRING PLEIN AIR COMPETITION
I recently was awarded First Place on of the two landscapes I painted in this competition held on Copper Knoll Farms, a lavender farm in Pittgrove, New Jersey.
Lavender Fields Forever, oil on panel, 12″x16″ (left)
A Touch of Lavender, oil on canvas, 12″x16″ (right)
SOME THOUGHTS ON JURIED EXHIBITIONS
When submitting work to juried exhibitions, I usually prefer shows that are non-themed. I feel that this often allows me to feature my best work without having to strain to add spurious interpretations onto existing pieces. Rarely, I will create a new work to fit the theme of an upcoming show, but more often than not deadlines are too tight for that. And to be honest, sometimes I chafe a little at the idea of tailoring my muse to fit someone else’s ideas unless I happen find them unusually compatible to my own.
Sometimes though, a theme will be general enough for me to come up with a selection of work that seems tailor-made for it. This happened recently with a show sponsored by the Media (Pa.) Arts Council. The theme, which was “passage,” could be interpreted in many ways, both literal and conceptual, allowing me identify a good number of appropriate paintings. The result was that all three of my choices were accepted into the show.
Breakwater Light, 2012, oil on panel, 16″ x 12″ (far left)
Cellblock 7, 2019, oil on panel, 14″ x 11″ (center left)
Kasha-Katuwe no. 8, 2020, egg tempura on panel, 11″ x 14″ (above)
I am very excited to announce that I am now being represented on the Eastern Shore of Maryland by Tish Fine Art Plus, a wonderful gallery in the charming town of Chestertown.
CHATEAU ORQUEVAUX RESIDENCY
This past October, I was finally able to attend my twice-Covid-delayed residency at Chateau Orquevaux, an artist retreat held in a magnificent chateau in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. I spent to incredible two weeks painting in a beautiful salon that I shared with one other artist, and on the gorgeous grounds of the property. Perhaps the most valued part of the experience was living in close quarters with fourteen other attending artists, two artists-in-residence, and the directors and staff there. The interchange of ideas and close camaraderie of the group has blessed me with an extended artistic family that has endured beyond my time there. Oh… and the food!
