Demonstrating Portrait Painting at TX Pastel Society

Earlier this month, I demonstrated pastel portraiture at the February meeting of the Texas Pastel Society in San Antonio. The meeting was held at the Tobin Library near Ft. Sam Houston. I used photos of my niece Ainsley Walling as well as a portrait of her I had just completed so the class could also see the finished work.

New Sailing Commission

Sailing enthusiast Joe Castleberry is the new owner of this sailing piece, commissioned for his birthday by wife and longtime friend Jan Castleberry. It will move with them to their new digs in Houston later this year.

Georgetown Library Exhibition for Austin Pastel Society

"Fishing Allure" has memorabilia from Dallas friend Walt Henderson's grandfather's tackle box and related fishing gear. "Vineyard Peonies" was one of many works done this year in our garden in Massachusetts. Maybe I chose them because of spring themes. The third piece is one from a couple years ago, "Spring Fleur-de-lis," included earlier in this blog. Artists' reception is this Sunday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Georgetown Library, 403 West 8th Street.

"Holden"

I completed this earlier in the year and am just posting. Holden Easterling's portrait was commissioned by his grandmother, Louise Ratz, for daughter Leslie, through a KKG fundraiser here in Austin. Louise, Leslie and dad Brandon all worked with me to capture Holden's adorable looks and personality.

New Fleur-de-Lis Painting in UT KKG House

As part of the redesign of the first floor of the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Texas, my fleur-de-lis painting now hangs in the entryway. The fleur-de-lis are from my garden and were painted along with peonies and black-eyed Susans as the summer advanced. The painting was selected along with other art as part of the refurbishment.

Other news from end of summer: I was chosen as a new board member of the Martha's Vineyard Art Association. Now we'll have to go up more often! As the main organization for Island artists, it has a significant mandate to encourage and strengthen this community through the organization and its Old Sculpin Gallery.

Round Rock Art Space Artists' Reception Aug. 4

Join me and other Austin Pastel Society artists juried into this exhibition at this lovely space, 213 E. Main St., Round Rock on Thursday, Aug. 4 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. I'd love to see you if you can come by -- and there are quite a few interesting looking restaurant nearby. "Toy Story" and "Spring Fleur-de-lis" were chosen for the show.

Gallery Talk July 21 at Old Sculpin

If you are in Martha's Vineyard on Thursday, July 21, please join me for a new feature at Old Sculpin ballery. I'll join fellow artist Marston Clough in a gallery talk about our work, and the association has invited all interested to bring in their art for a critique. The short program begins at 6 p.m.

My two week show closed Sunday but my work is still on display in the members' gallery for the rest of the season, through October.