Andrew Pinckney Inn Corner

 

Andrew Pinckney Inn Corner 8x8 plein air oil on linen panel available at https://www.maryhoffmanfineart.com/portfolio-viewer?collection=96374#lg=1&artworkId=4644798

"Charleston Bridal Boutique" SOLD

11"x14" Oil on Linen Panel   sold

This was painted en Plein Air on location on Church Street of one of the finest Bridal Boutiques downtown; Fabulous Frocks.  Its location is so picturesque it begged to be painted.

SOLD at the Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio
www.haganfineart.com

27 1/2 State Street Charleston, SC 29401

THE AUCTION BEGINS TODAY!!

 Please go to: 

https://bidr.co/events/items.php?evt=1828

to secure your favorite painting. . . your contribution will honor and help heal those at Mother Emanuel AME Church who tragically lost loved ones this past June. In addition, you will have a beautiful memorial that will forever bring you joy, knowing that you were one who helped.  

 Thank you!

"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.

"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.

"Church Street View" Morning Painting of the OPA paint Out

9"x12" Oil on GessoBord brand Panel

My morning painting for the Oil Painters of America Paint Out in Downtown Charleston, SC.  We could not have ordered up a nicer day to be outside painting!  thank you, my friends, who came out to visit me while I painted this one.

"Enter - One Way"

12"x9" Oil on Gessobord brand panel

"Text in Art" is our next theme for November at the Charleston Artist Collective
www.charlestonartistcollective.org
I was on King Street painting this one near the Library which happens to be the first library established in the USA.

"Maid With The Flaxen Hair" SOLD

8"x10" Oil on GessoBord brand Panel  Sold

The Wednesday painters were blessed again to be invited to paint on location of "Our Lady of Mercy" on James Island. This locale offered us opposite views facing back toward where we normally paint.

The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra performs this beautiful song.  You can "hear" the sun slowly rising above the trees and the birds waking in song.

"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

"Philadelphia Alley" SOLD

9"x12" Oil on Linen Panel   sold

I may work on this more after I've gotten my eyes off of it for a day.  It's HOT down here in the LowCountry today!  Heat indices up to 110 degrees!  But despite the heat, it's still good to get out to paint.  This little alley offers wonderful cool shade from the heat and it is so beautiful too.  While painting this I was able to meet a couple who lives next door to this house and a very nice young family originally from England who now reside in NYC.  Good to meet y'all!