Studio News

Creative Freedom

Above image, working on one of my demos for Maggie’s book. Photographed by Karla Collegeman

I am pleased to announce that, Creative Freedom, 52 Art Ideas, Projects and Exercises to Overcome Your Creativity Block by Maggie Price, will be published by North Light Books and available at Amazon.com on March 25.

Over a year ago I was contacted by Maggie Price, well-known and much beloved artist, author, and pastel workshop instructor. She was beginning work on a new instructional book and asked me if I would like to be a contributor. Maggie had seen work I had posted on Facebook.

I was stunned, thrilled, flabbergasted and flattered and I worked very hard on the two pastel demos she asked me to do for the book. 

Unbelievably, Maggie was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. She is undergoing treatment and posts regular updates on her blog. She continues to be just as inspiring to all of us with her courage in facing this health crisis as she has been in her generous sharing of her creative gifts.

I am very grateful to be part of her latest project.

‘Tis the Season

Each year at this time I give special holiday prices to various pieces of my art. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 1, 6 paintings on view at Hi Neighbor restaurant in Strasburg, Virginia, will be available at 25% off my regular price.

Through the Orchard, November Field, Spring on Stickley Loop, Afternoon Light on Pine Grove Road, Valley Dawn, and Sycamore II, are all depictions of rural scenes surrounding Strasburg.

Image size, 9×12. Matted and framed to 16×20.

Contact me here for more information or email [email protected]

 

Through the Orchard

 

November Field

 

Afternoon Light on Pine Grove Road

 

Valley Dawn

 

Sycamore II

 

Spring on Stickley Loop (not pictured)

New Art Venue

I’m pleased to let you know that this very special shop is showing some of my pastels through the month of December. Jessica Brunot, Paul Mitchell National Educator, is the proprietor of The Hair Company/Echo Vintage on Olde Town Mall in Winchester, Virginia. She very cleverly runs an upscale hair salon that also houses a fabulous vintage clothing, furniture, and housewares shop plus art gallery. Located at 38 South Loudoun Street, the Hair Company/Echo Vintage is a destination that will surprise and delight you.

Will be open for First Friday on December 7.

 

Springhouse in the Gloaming

Community Supported Art

pictured above, Pink Clouds, 4×4-inch ceramic art tile by Diane Artz Furlong

Berryville Main Street’s Fire House Gallery and Shop is pleased to announce that shares in its 2012 Community Supported ART (CSA) program, will be available for purchase starting Friday, November 19th.

The CSA program, which is designed to showcase and promote art in our region, is modeled on the Community Support Agriculture movement, which encourages consumers to buy seasonal foods directly from local farms.

The 2011 inaugural holiday basket featured the work of three Fire House Gallery artists.  This year six artists are included.  The items include hand-built pottery from Lori Linthicum; a ready to hang ceramic tile featuring original artwork by pastel artist, Diane Artz Furlong; an abstract glass and metal window ornament from stained glass artist, Trish Alizade; original design earrings by Samantha Gauldin; signed and mounted photograph of Berryville’s gazebo by Eva Jo Russell complete with envelope for mailing, and a whimsical fiber art “do-it” ornament from Norma Colman.

Just 25 shares are available for sale. The purchase price is $65 per share. Reserve now by calling 540-955-4001 or by email

The baskets will be ready for pick-up at a special reception Friday evening, December 7 beginning at 6:00 pm at the gallery.  The gathering will allow shareholders to meet the artists as well as fellow shareholders who are demonstrating support of the arts through their purchase.

The CSA initiative is made possible by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the program send an email to: [email protected] and write “CSA” in the subject line or call 540 955-4001.

Little Cedar, 4×4-inch ceramic tile, dartz

 

Forsythia, 4×4-inch ceramic art tile, dartz

 

A New Pastel Exhibit

 

above painting, Evening Thunderheads I

 

I am thrilled to be having a show with another pastel artist who is also a good friend. Common Ground: The Pastel Art of Laurel Vaughan and Diane Artz Furlong, will be on view at the Dolores Sekel Art Atrium at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, Virginia, beginning Saturday, November 24-Friday, January 4, when the show moves to the LFCC campus in Fauquier County.

This past summer I was inspired to do a series of paintings depicting the spectacle of cloudscapes we are privileged to view every day here in Oranda. I will be showing these paintings for the first time.

Laurel Vaughan, a pastel artist from Woodstock, Virginia, is also inspired by the Shenandoah Valley landscape. Although her method and materials differ from mine, we share a “common ground” with our passion for pastels and our Valley muse.

The art atrium is open to the public and the show is on view every day. We hope you get a chance to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Pastel Lessons

I am now taking students on a one-on-one basis. In addition to teaching the basics of how I paint pastel landscapes, I also introduce my students to the various types of pastels and when to use hard, medium, or soft ones, the different kinds of pastel papers and supports that are available and a little about handling a finished painting, including matting and framing.

The above painting is the demo I did during a class this week. I wanted to show how to apply color to describe light and shadow in the landscape.

If you are interested in having some lessons in pastel landscape painting and you live in Strasburg, Virginia or the surrounding counties, you can get in touch with me by clicking “Contact Me” at the top of this page.

In Appreciation of Collectors

above painting, Evening Meditation

 

My solo show at the Strasburg Museum has ended. I am very pleased to have sold two paintings.  ”Warm Autumn Morning” and “Evening Meditation” will both go to new homes.

It is always gratifying to know that my art has connected with someone; that one of my landscapes resonates with a viewer. It goes beyond that to know someone loves a piece enough to buy it. For me a buyer is an art patron, someone who supports the arts and artists and helps make possible the creation of more and better works.

Thank you to all my collectors. I hope you continue to enjoy the art you bought.

 

Warm Autumn Morning

Tooting My Horn

above painting, An Irish Morning, Best in Show

I’m pleased to announce that two of my pastel landscapes have received awards in VECCA’s (Valley Educational Center for the Creative Arts) annual members’ all-media show.

An Irish Morning received Best in Show and Springhouse in the Gloaming received First Place in the Works on Paper category.

The paintings are on view in the Shenandoah County Government Building in Woodstock, Virginia. Please contact me here for more information.

 

Springhouse in the Gloaming, First Place, Works on Paper

 

 

Thank you!

After visiting my show at the Strasburg Museum with his friend Dawn M. Miller, Rick Bugbee became the latest collector of my art. He has purchased Warm Autumn Morning.

Thank you, Rick, for your support of my art.

Shenandoah Passages, my solo show of pastel landscapes, is on view now at the Strasburg Museum, Strasburg, Virginia, daily through October 14. I hope you get a chance to see it.

 

Rick and his painting (photo by Dawn M. Miller at Lingering Visions)

Solo Show

I am pleased to announce the opening of Shenandoah Passages, my new show of art at the Strasburg Museum, 400 E. King Street, in Strasburg, Virginia. The Museum is housed in what was a train station during the 19th and early 20th centuries. I will be showing my latest pastel landscapes in a quaint, antique setting.

Shenandoah Passages runs from September 15-October 14, 2012. Museum hours are Sunday-Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Contact me here for more information.