south carolina

Summer Sessions at Miller Gallery - August 2019

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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 GalleryCharleston, SCAugust 24th, 2019

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!

Shuck it! Let's Party!

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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 ---->

Mini Watercolor Paintings for Sale!

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Next Friday, August 19th from 3-8pm at my Studio Sale, (1244 Marvin Ave - Charleston, SC 29407) I will have (unframed) watercolor paintings for sale in 2 sizes:  4"x 6" (for $15) and 5" x 7" (for $20).  These are watercolors I've created during my Carolina travels over the past year or two.

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:

The Congaree National Park

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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.

Here's link to the park's website and also one for info on camping.