south carolina
Earlier this year, I was commissioned to do a watercolor marsh painting to be used as part of a wedding suite. The bride wanted a washy, earth toned marsh scene to match her Boone Hall wedding. The 8x 1 0 painting was printed on the backs of the invites (and could be a framed print for all the guests!) and the original hangs in the newlyweds’ home!
Great idea - and so much fun working with these girls!
For a group exhibition at the Miller Gallery (in Charleston, SC), a dozen local artist were invited to paint skateboards based on any sort of musical inspiration.
After much debate (oh, the endless possibilities!)… I decided to use the Crosby, Stills, & Nash song, “Southern Cross” - a song that conjures adventure vibes, being on the water, sailing, and traveling. Drawing from my current exploration of coastal maps, I painted the Intercoastal Waterway as its runs by Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms, SC. These barrier islands fit perfectly onto the shape of the skate deck with the ICW running the length of it, a symbol of travel by water.
Opening reception for “Summer Sessions” at the Miller Gallery
Charleston, SC
August 24th, 2019
“SOUTHERN CROSS” / acrylic paint on birchwood skate deck, coated in epoxy resin
From beginning to end, many layers of acrylic and a makeshift epoxy station later, this was such a fun project, and I was honored and excited to be included in the show!
Thank You to Miller Gallery!
It's oyster season!
....and here are some oyster-themed sketches I did last month (a combo of marker, pencil and gouche) for Douglas & Ashley's oyster roast invite ---->
A few of the settings: Linville Gorge, Beech Mountain, and Topsail Island in North Carolina, John's Island, Rockville and the Congaree Swamp in South Carolina...
Here's a preview of the available assortment:
I took some watercolors and water soluble crayons on our canoe adventures in the Congaree Forest the other weekend and created some swamp-inspired tiny landscapes….
Did you know that the Congaree National Park is South Carolina's only National Park?
Located about thirty minutes outside of Columbia, "the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in North America is found in this swampy national park" - over 22,000 Acres of preserve on the Congaree River.
Ted and Lou and I drove up for the day last year to do a 10 mile hike to the river and knew we wanted to come back with the canoe asap. So this year, for our annual April camping adventure with Douglas and Ashley, we spent the weekend at the campground located in the Congaree National Park with canoes and dogs in tow.
The campground was great - wooded and natural - the campsites weren't on top of each other. There isn't any running water and you have to tote your stuff about 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the campsite, but it's worth it not to be in a parking lot atmosphere. We only got reprimanded by the ranger once (dogs off leash rule, per the usual - and we had three dogs with us) I'd definitely give the place the thumbs up - just don't go during mosquito-season because that would be uber miserable.
We canoed both days - about 7 miles one day and 10 the next - down Cedar Creek and into the Congaree River. The water level was a about 3 feet down and there were a lot of portages to get through but nothing too crazy (a lot of trees down due to the october floods) but it was certainly some of the more challenging canoeing I've ever done, minus some tide/current moments in the ocean. We saw loads of wildlife: Barred Owls, American Goldfinch, Pileated Woodpeckers, Osprey, a beaver, TONS of King Snakes (most snakes i've ever seen in a two day period, for sure), alligator gar…the list goes on. I highly recommend checking the park out - even better if you can do it by water.
The view from the top of the (round) Holiday Inn in Charleston.
Some of the Old South Carriage Company horses at the farm on John's Island, SC.
Sunrise swims with Lou at Folly.
Mills House Pool with my college besties.
A magical spot on John's Island, SC - accessible by horseback.
Sunset jon boat cruise w Ted and Lou.
