"Red Rooftops of Charleston" SOLD

4"x12" Oil on Linen Canvas  sold

This was a spectacular day to be out plein air painting with fellow artist friends, Janie Ball and Fallon Donahoo!

"Laura's Portrait - BEFORE"

12"x9" Oil on Linen panel

While at Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio, I took the opportunity to paint one of the Gallery's beautiful Art Consultants: Laura.
This painting, so far, is completely painted from life.  I plan to go into it just a little bit more to complete the unfinished parts (lower left corner) and pull it all together.
Cross your fingers that she'll love it!

"Morning Stroll on Queen" SOLD

22"x28" Oil on Linen Canvas

While I was walking around downtown Charleston one morning, it struck me how serene and quiet the city is before the 9:00 AM hour.  Long, cool shadows stretched across the warm streets; and everything was at peace. Maybe I should have titled this "Tranquility."

sold at Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio
177 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401

www.haganfineart.com

843-901-8124

www.haganfineart.com

"All in a Line"

10"x10" oil on linen birch board panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on location.

This was the first of two paintings I did while at this location.  The tide was higher when I painted this one than in the second painting revealing the tops of the skinny sand bars and oyster beds neatly lined up together.

"Cloud Parade" SOLD

6"x8" Oil on Linen Birch Board Panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on location  SOLD

The clouds often "show off" for you on coast of the Lowcountry. And this day did not disappoint. The colors were vibrant.  The little oyster beds lined up to watch as the clouds passed by with the wind.

"Shem Creek Studio"

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel board, painted en plein air, alla prima, while on location

One of my dear artist friends with whom I paint is lucky enough to call this little red-roofed cottage her Artist's Studio.  The invitation to paint this sweet, quirky iconic Shem Creek shack produced this little guy.

"Gateway"

8"x8" Oil on Linen Canvas
Painted En Plein Air on location at Longitude Lane which dead-ends into Meeting Street from East Bay Street near "Rainbow Row."  This is a sweet, little private drive that is home to some of the most beautiful garages and backyard gates that connect to some of the most beautiful homes in historic Downtown Charleston, SC.

"Chasing Shadows"

30"x40" Oil on Linen Canvas

Available at www.haganfineart.com

"Ode To Mother Emanuel AME Church & the spirit of Forgiveness"

 This blog entry serves to share, from my own personal experience, what awaited us Plein Air Painters when we planned to honor the Mother Emanuel AME Church with our paintings.

Please know that I am truly humbled by this experience and I only hope to bring honor to those who call Mother Emanuel AME Church their home church and to those who lost their lives because of their love and devotion to their fellow man according to what was taught to them by God through Emanuel's late Pastor, Reverend Clementa Pinckney. 

 It was Wednesday July 1st when I arrived downtown, early, to set up and paint with our Plein Air Painting group that I first saw the church since Dylann Roof opened fire after spending an hour with prayers at their Wednesday night Prayer Meeting June 16th.

"A lot of people expected us to do something 

strange and to break out in a riot," 

said Goff, the church's interim pastor 

until a successor for Pinckney is chosen. 

"Well, they just don't know us. We are people of faith."

I arrived early enough that no one was around at the time.  

I eagerly looked for a place to set up to paint.  

The only people who were around were two men talking right in front of the church as if to be close friends, discussing the matter at the site. 

One man was black and the other man was white.  What a poignant image!  

I couldn't get to my camera fast enough and only caught them as they walked down the block, continuing their conversation.

Abruptly, like a flash of lightening, reality struck me! 

An enormous, overwhelming sense flooded my being.  I was caught suddenly by the kindness and loving gestures evident in what was before me. Large bouquets of flowers, prayer candles, signs, notes, American Flags, and stuffed toys left at the foot of this historic church for those 9 men and women who were taken from us that fateful night.

 Somebody's hands placed these here. Somebody walked and prayed here. Somebody shed tears here.

 It was plain to see how Charlestonians offered their best in the best way they could as they themselves coped with what happened the best way they could cope.  And you could feel their hearts saying, "If I could bring back your loved ones, I would.  But I can't so I will offer my heart instead."

I saw that the wind had knocked down some of the bouquets and crashed some of the glass.  I did my best to place upright some of what had fallen and clean up some of the broken glass.  

That reality which hit me earlier punched me again and the tears burned.

. 

As I investigated the scene closer, 
I noticed beautiful 

Crepe Myrtle trees out in front.

From the ground up to the leaves, 

they were covered with 

permanent marker-messages of 

hope, faith and love,
written by those who came to pray and support 

Emanuel AME congregants.

    Then, I noticed the fire hydrant 

was also covered in prayers and love messages and even had three permanent markers there 

for anyone else to write. Someone was thoughtful enough to think of those coming after them,
that they might want to write a message too.
Who thinks of that?

And it hit me.  

My throat grew sore and tears filled my eyes as I looked around in AWE at all of the Love, Respect and Honor on display.

Instantly my mind replayed what I saw, live, on TV during Roof's arraignment; the voices off camera belonging to those family members and friends of the fallen 9 at Roof's hand: "I am not happy at what you have done but because my God forgives me, I forgive you, I am praying for you [Roof], May God have mercy on you [Roof]." 

Wow.  Who does that?

"Tribute - Ode to Mother Emanuel AME Church"

Me as I paint the Plein Air Painting below:

12"x12" Oil on Canvas Painted Alla Prima En Plein Air

Mother Emanuel AME Church has been in the National news much lately.  At the time of this painting, it had been just two weeks when a young 21-year old man, deranged with hate and evil, was welcomed into this historic, Downtown church by her Parishioners gathered for a Prayer Meeting. After sitting for an hour with them he then stood up and shot to death 9 innocent lives including their beloved Pastor.
This blog post requires more than just posting a painting.  There is a long story that goes along with this image that I am unable to go into just yet.  I will "finish" this painting up a bit more; it needs a little refining.  There is just too much yet to say.  I will follow up with another post.

"Betty's American Flag" SOLD

12"x12" Oil on Canvas painted alla prima en plein air  SOLD

One of my favorite places to paint is in the Old Village on Bennett Street.  Betty always has a spectacular garden waiting for us and her cottage home is so picturesque!

"Geechie Dock"

8"x10" Oil on Canvas painted en plein air on location at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC.  The morning we all met out here to paint was one of the first sunny days we've experienced here the Lowcountry and I actually got a little bit of sunburn on my neck (yes, even with sunscreen)!  And we had an addition to our group: a most talented, visiting Canadian Artist.  So great to know you, Sara Jane!!!

"Pylon Procession" SOLD

 sold

14"x11" Oil on Canvas  Painted Alla Prima of the docks at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC.

February's Theme at The Charleston Artist Collective is "Passages" and this one will be available as one of the themed paintings.  With every art purchase, 10% is donated to a local charity. It is good to know your support helps so many beyond the online gallery and artists.

"Clouds & Creeks" SOLD

8"x8" Oil on Linen Panel  SOLD

This is looking out over Shem Creek from the new Shem Creek Park in Mount Pleasant.

"Pitt Street Park"

10"x8" Oil on Linen Birch Board

It got quiet suddenly at The Old Pitt Street Bridge-turned-Park in the Old Village.  After a very bustling morning of joggers, new moms getting out to enjoy the day with babies, dog-walkers and all those wanting to enjoy today's gorgeous weather, I found this quiet perspective - and got a little sun-burned too.

"Sleep Away" Bob Acri SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel   Sold

This time of year brings dryer air and cooler breezes along with the strong, warm sunshine.  If you happen to be under the shade of the trees (or a boat dock, as in this case) you could easily be lulled off to dreamland on days like this one.  Listening to Bob Acri's piano soothes me too.

"View of St. Michaels Church" SOLD

sold

8"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

September's Theme for the Charleston Artist Collective is "Everyday Life" www.charlestonartistcollective.org

"Bluest Eyes"

10"x8" Oil on GessoBord brand panel

Casadei once again modeled and I focused on her beautiful face.