Learning has no limits - that is last year's take away for me.
By working steadily, reading, taking workshops and observing, I find I have taken strides in my goal of becoming a better painter. And although I consider I still have mountains to learn about my craft, I am so encouraged that the brain and body have an endless capacity to learn. I also find that I take enormous satisfaction from teaching, as I gain knowledge from my students every week. The interaction with students and fellow painters on a weekly basis stimulate me and help offset all the hours spent alone facing the " canvas demons".
2015 was incredibly busy and and very gratifying professionally, despite some health set backs. I broke some records, sales wise; won a few prizes; was accepted into a couple of national shows, and participated in beautiful group exhibits in Florida.
My volunteer work on the Boards of Old School Square, Plein Air Palm Beach and In The Pines has also been rewarding, from associating with dedicated, talented, and civic minded individuals, to seeing these organizations grow and develop, doing much good for our community in the areas close to my heart: education, art, and the town of Delray Beach.
Some HIGHLIGHTS of shows and exhibits of 2015:
En Plein Air National Exhibit - Lighthouse Art Center and Museum - Tequesta, Jan.- March 2015
Environmentally Engaged - National show - Lighthouse Museum - Tequesta -Sept. -Oct. 2015
Plein Air Exhibit- Show Chair and exhibitor, Cornell Art Museum - Delray Beach Jan.- March 2015
Made In Delray - Cultural Council of Palm Beach - July - September 2015
Art of Association -County Wide show - Lighthouse Art Center and Museum - Tequesta - June - August, 2015 - second prize
Highland Beach Library - Show Chair and exhibitor - Nov.- Dec. 2015
Nostalgic Delray - Delray Beach Historical Society - Nov.- 2015 - Feb. 2016 -
My collector pointing to the original painting " At Delray Beach" shown above the poster, "Nostalgic Delray".
"Wild"- National Show - acceptance - Cornell Art Museum - Jan. - April 2016
Plein Fun Fest - Competition acceptance - Feb. 19, 20 - 2016
I Also participated in, and won awards in several shows with the Boca Raton Museum of Art Artists' Guild and the Delray Art League, and won new representation in the Vail Valley.
Altogether, I am extremely happy for the gift of painting in my professional life -the motivation and desire to work at it, the joy and even the frustration of being led by such a difficult muse - and the ability to keep on learning. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had this year, I am so Thankful to my collectors, clients, galleries, and for the companionship of my fellow painters, my studio mate, my students, and of course my family above all.
And lastly, thank you to those who have taken the time to read this blog. I wish you all a wonderful 2016!
Some images.........
At the Highland Beach Library
Nostalgic Delray show at Cason Historic Cottage
Yikes! Nao good photo...
Accepting an award from Bob Birkeness, chair of exhibits Delray Art League' Crest Theater exhibit. This was one of the busiest days and evenings, as I ran from this show to the opening of the Highland Beach Library opening, hence the same outfit as above. Not that you noticed, of course 😄
Painting lined to leave my studio, headed to various shows.
Some of my paintings at the Made In Delray show - Cultural Council
Three of my paintings in Ft. Lauderdale
In Avon, Colorado, at a paint-out
My studio.....home away from home....
From the mountains.....
To the rivers......
A little solo show in July.....
One of my award winning paintings...30x40
Plein Air painting in different locations was both fun and challenging. Here at the Intracoastal.....
And the beach.........
How the heck did this image get in here? LOL . Anyhow, this is where I lived in Rio, three blocks from Copacabana Beach, over the hill from Lagoa. Right between those two hills.
At my solo show.......
And of course, more beach.........
to capturing the action at art fairs......
to Plein Air competitions.....
And more beach...this time in the shade....
To the snow......
and night time paintings........it's all been fun!