About My Work

Erin, "2008"

A large percentage of my work focuses on the portrait and figure. Since moving to the Eastern Shore, I’ve also become interested in working in plein air, inspired by my new artist friends and the natural abundance of beauty in this area. I paint with oil or pastel, and draw using three chalks or silverpoint. I continue to explore working with new techniques using pastels, solvents, and paper.

Art Education

  • BA in Visual Arts from Florida State University, 1977. Juried into BFA based on a series of fantasy drawings.
  • The Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, Virginia, 1999-2008. Studied portrait and figure under the direction of Danni Dawson, Robert Liberace, Priscilla Treacy, and Edward Reed.
  • Pastel Workshops with Mary Pritchard, October 2008, January 2009 and April 2009.
  • Pastel Portrait Workshop with Claudia Post, May 2010, July, 2010.

Gallery representations

  • Gallery, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1978. Group show featuring endangered species, pen and ink on paper.
  • Great Southern Gallery, Key West, Florida, 1990. Solo exhibition of the male figure in a series of intricate, graphite drawings.
  • MOCA DC, Georgetown, 2006. The Figure, Group show, “Young Girl”, oil on canvas.
  • Del Ray Arts League, Alexandria, VA, October 2006. All Things Magical, Group show, “The Fortune Teller”, oil on canvas.
  • Torpedo Factory Art Gallery, Alexandria, VA, December 2007. Small Works group show, “A Good Man”, three chalks.
  • Chestertown Arts League, 60th Annual Juried Show (March, 2008), “Seated Nude”, oil on canvas, “Ready to Go”, three chalks.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Art in the Park, portraits and local birdlife, September 2008.
  • Plein Air Painters, Heron Point, Group show, September, 2008.
  • Artworks, Members shows,(July and December 2008).
  • Chestertown Arts League, Black and White Show (December 2008).
  • Chestertown Arts League, About Faces Show (March 2009), “Isabella”, grisaille with color on canvas panel, People's Choice Award.
  • Chestertown Arts League, 61st Annual Juried Show (March, 2009),“Cows -Waiting for St. Nicholas”,pastel,“Reflections”,oil on canvas board.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Studio Gallery, joint exhibition, May, 2009.
  • Artworks, Members show (May, 2009), “Strong Values”,pastel, People's Choice Award.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Artful Structures Show (June, 2009),“238 to Pomona”,pastel.
  • Hogan's Real Estate, Solo Show: “Inspirational Portrait Series” (November, 2009), twelve original portraits in oil.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Our Perspectives Show (December, 2009), “Blackwater Wildlife Refuge- Early November”, pastel, People's Choice Award.
  • Artworks, Members Show (May, 2010), “Grace”,oil on canvas panel.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Parts of a Whole Show (July, August, 2010),“Unbroken”,pastel, People's Choice Award.
  • Chestertown Arts League, The Macabre Show (October, 2010),“Ed's Bad Side”,silverpoint;“Moonlight Rendezvous”,pastel.
  • Hogans Real Estate, Solo show; “Celebrating Families Native to the Eastern Shore of Maryland”(November, 2010), twelve pastel portraits.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Portals Show (October, 2011),“Window of the Soul”, pastel; “Watkins Glen”,pastel.
  • Chestertown Arts League, Wanderlust Show (February, 2012),“Sunburst, Northern Ireland”,pastel, People's Choice Award; “Northern Light, Ireland, near Dooey Beach”,pastel.
  • Chestertown Arts League, 64th Annual Open Juried Show (March 2012),“Sarah”,pastel; “The Guitar Maker”,pastel, Best in Show.

History

Whenever possible, I've taken commissions of people, their children, pets, and designed posters, business cards and logos for independent businesses. After moving from Key West, Florida to Maryland in 1999, I continued to study painting nights and weekends, while working full time in a D.C. law firm.

A few years ago, I married someone who thoroughly understands and supports me in my creative journey. Together we moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where our lives are vibrant, rich and fulfilling. We look forward to each day with a level of awareness and excitement that comes from being healthy and fully alive.

Newest Developments

In March, 2012, one of my portraits, “The Guitar Maker”, received Best in Show at the Chestertown Arts League's 64th Annual Open Juried Show at Heron Point. The judge wrote: “The portrait is presently simply; nothing is distracting. Lighting is dramatic; drawing skills are evident. Intensity of the portrait is very well done.