"Derby Day" Wins Still Life Honor

Last month, my "Derby Day" painting won 2nd place in Still Life at the Austin Pastel Society Juried Exhibition, and was on display for the month of April at the Corridor of Art here in Austin.  Last weekend, the painting sold at the silent auction for Kappa Derby Day -- I painted the work just for this event.  The new owners are friends since college -- Ellen and Mark Morrison. 

"Derby Day" Juried into Annual Austin Pastel Society Exhibition

The "Derby Day" painting was just selected to be exhibited as one of 50 paintings at APS's 14th Annual Exhibition at the Corridor of Art here. Please join me and the other artists at the artists' reception on Sunday, March 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 700 Lavaca Street.

I did the painting to donate to the KKG Fundraiser, Derby Day, hence the fleur-de-lis vs. a rose. The framed painting will be offered as part of the silent auction from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Westwood Country Club on Saturday, May 5.

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.