The City of North Charlotte holds an annual African-American art exhibition that draws entries from all over the U.S. The theme of the 2023 exhibition was “Mermaids” which was in anticipation of Disney’s live action movie “The Little Mermaid” which starred an African-American actress (Halle Bailey). Although I did not learn about the exhibit in time to submit an entry, I was inspired to create several fantasy pieces like this one called “Mermaid’s Treasure”.
Coming of age in the 1960s, my musical tastes were heavily influenced by the Motown Sound. Girl groups ljke Martha & the Vandellas and the Supremes were influential both musically and culturally. They were known for their stylish hairdos and beautiful gowns, looks that were emulated by African-American women across the country. The Supremes had 10 straight #1 hits in the 1960s and led Motown groups in having crossover success that was unprecedented for African-American artists. This piece is the first of a series inspired by this legacy.
My “Lap of Love” art quilt was selected for the Gallery at Morningstar’s summer exhibition. The theme was “Ripple of Love” and this piece is intended to represent the unconditional love of a grandmother for her grandchild. The child radiates the confidence that comes from knowing that she is loved and cared for. Research has shown that unconditional love helps children develop a positive sense of self-worth, provides a safe and secure environment for exploration and learning, helps them develop positive relationships with others, and provides a buffer against the negative effects of stress and trauma. The ripple effect of unconditional love benefits society by helping children grow into confident, resilient and compassionate adults who are capable of making positive contributions to the world.
The “Ripple of Love” exhibit runs through September 2023. The Gallery at Morningstar is located at 12509 Idelwild Rd, Matthews, NC.
My “Wash Day” art quilt was juried into the Art League of Hilton Head’s prestigious 2023 Biennale art exhibition. There were over 600 entries, from which 100 artists from 25 states were accepted. The exhibit ran from May 20-June 17 at the Art League Gallery located inside the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Bob and I traveled to Hilton Head for the Opening Reception on May 19th which was very well attended.
I recently applied to several juried art exhibitions and was beyond excited when I received my first positive response about 2 weeks later. My piece “Here Comes the Sun” will be included in the summer exhibition sponsored by the Yadkin Arts Council in Yadkinville, NC..
Read MoreLast Fall I was asked to do a presentation about my work to the Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild. One of the attendees was a librarian who remembered my artwork when she was tasked with finding a way to brighten the walls of a new temporary branch that opened in a high traffic location in Uptown Charlotte.
Read MoreI am currently working on a series of art quilts based on old photographs. I got the idea from a wonderful collection of formal portraits from the late 1800s through the 1930s that I found in my late father’s personal effects .
Read MoreThis year I am resolving to work on larger pieces with more complex backgrounds. This presents a challenge in terms of layering the elements in each composition without adding a lot of bulk. I am experimenting with new types of ….
Read MoreI recently learned a new appliqué technique using fusible adhesives that makes in much easier to assemble my layered quilt tops. It literally saves days on each piece!
Read MoreSome young friends of mine recently celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter. Throughout the pregnancy, the Mom was eloquent in sharing her hopes and dreams for her baby in a time of great upheaval.
Read MoreEvery so often, an image springs fully formed into my head and comes together very quickly. That is what I experienced with this piece which I call “Behold the Star.”
Read MoreI did not do a lot of work in 2021, but I definitely went through an extended phase when I was intrigued with producing images of ballerinas.
Read MoreMy husband Bob is a avid golfer. He fell in love with the game after taking his first lesson in 1999 and has played steadily ever since. …… In anticipation of a milestone birthday that Bob has coming up in March 2021, I thought it would be fun to do a piece that honors his love of the sport……
Read MoreOne of the great joys of my teen years was going to parties and dancing to the latest hits. I loved to watch shows like Soul Train and Solid Gold that featured all the top R&B performers and talented dancers showing off new dance moves. This experience inspired me to create a series around dances that were popular in different eras….
Read MoreOne of my motivations in selling my artwork was to assist my philanthropic efforts by dedicating a portion of the proceeds to supporting HBCUs. This year I was able to make almost $4000 in donations…
Read MoreAfter a long creative drought caused by all the social and political upheaval of the past 7 months, I finally found the inspiration to start making art again by focusing on the upcoming holiday season.
Read MoreOn Mother’s Day a friend posted a picture of her grandmother and several other female relatives. It inspired me to consider the women in my own line and think of how I might represent them artistically.
Read MoreI was so excited to be selected by the website Artsyshark.com as a Featured Artist for 2020. This was the first time I have ever submitted my work to a competition, so you can imagine how surprised I was to have my portfolio selected.
Read MoreI’ve been wanting to do a music-themed piece for a while now and I decided to do a tribute to all the great female vocalists whose performances I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Read MoreWorking on my artwork has been a welcome distraction during this time of quarantine. It allows me to get away from the daily drumbeat of (mostly negative) news about the pandemic and focus on something positive.
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