Just visited some of my friends blogs. Wonderful happenings. I am just working on "down sizing." Not a happy time. Two large pieces of  furniture were taken away and today worked on too many clothes. I must admit the clothes and drawers look nicer.
Biggest job ahead  sorting my art work.. A colossal job. I've painted  an average of 50  paintings a year for the last 30  some years. "tomorrow is another day."

BACK FROM ASHEVILLE NC

Winter has arrived in NC

I dreaded the thought of experiencing themperatures below the freezing point, however when I headed out to my first watercolor class of the new semester it was just 32 degrees. It was fun teaching the class again.Looking forward to seeing some great paintings.
Yesterday I completed a  redo of a painting I did about 20 years ago. I added acrylic paint to the collage of watercolors and am pleased with the ourcome. I thought it was approriate that I finished it on election day."Americana." I will be showing it a new exhibit at the Paramount theater in Burlington

Happy New Year

My gosh it is 14 days into 2013!  Although there were lots of joys over the holidays there was much stress as well. So many friends and loved ones were ill with flu etc. Although I did do a small amount of entertaining ,  I have been trying to get things done with a small kidney stone in the last 40 years I've  experience  at  least 7 stones of various sizes.
I am taking each day a a time as the saying goes. There is  my nativity scene still on my mantel and husband  has needed some nursing of flu symptoms.I have two more art show commitments so I have taken some time to spend at the easel again. I  love painting  figures and am excited to get into a painting of Hispanic dancers with their twirling dresses. I am using a group of images I took two years ago at our church festival.
Also reading "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Every two years  our county suggests a "read" for all its residents and then has related activities planned associated with the book. .  I am just finishing a painting inspired  by the book for an art competition .
It seems everyone is watching " Downton Abbey." Love PBS. My spot on the Antique Road Show is not on the schedule for January. Keep watching for the Myrtle Beach show.

Buon Natale

"Martorano, Palermo Interior"

Buon Natale

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas.

Checking the clock

Lilghts  are on the tree after three days of trying to connect the built in ones. Fun was had  by all at the Dicken Burlington Downtown festival.  Too many sweets offered!
just have a few more  ordered prints to get out. Interesting to see what people select as gifts. Here is "Santa's Self Portrait" Checking his list.

Some  sicilian cooking ahead for Christmas dinner.

Every thing ready for my last two holiday shows. Paintings are packed and ready to go. A spooky sensation when my daughter told me she  found one of my  paintings offered  on ebay this evening.  I painted it in 1985. after a trip a trip to  Duke Gardens. in NC. Another paintings I did very long ago was sold  on the secondary market at a shop in town.

Celebrating a BIrthday

I  have been participating in numerous  art shows and exhibitions during the  last few weeks. Taking the night off to  get together with some family and friends  who also have   a November birthday. Ciao Pizza.

Recognized by Arba Sicula

This past spring I was contacted by the publisher of the St John's University of New York based Sicilian /English semi-annual journal, "Arba Sicula." Professor Cipolla requested me to write a story about my experiences of painting in Sicily. "Arba Sicula" is a non-profit international organization that promotes the language and culture of Sicily. It features its literature, art, history, cuisine and folklore.The fall edition carries my story.

Belmonte Mezzagno Sicily Birth-place of my maternal grandmother.

"My story tells about finding family members and illustrating my ancestral homes. I also tell about meeting other Sicilian families when fulfilling the painting commissions I acquired from Sicilian Americans. I was so delighted to see my story published in English and translated on the opposite page in the Sicilian language. Ten of my paintings of Sicily are also largely displayed throughout the text in full color." You may view many of these paintings in the Sicilian section of my website: www.gwinnett-art.com

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. I just can't keep up with my social media. I only get to Facebook about twice a week and Twitter and Linkedin almost never.
I was excited to receive a notice that someone purchased 100 mini buttons with my Sicilian Trinacria image today, That image has gone everywhere. About 10 years ago some one once paid me to use the image on T shirts for an Italian restaurant in NJ.

Away from the computer I have been  making  postcards and framing paintings for the upcoming show here in Burlington.with daughter Margaret Jackson.  Reception is August 5...."Patterns and Perspectives." Margaret paintings are the "Patterns"and mine are the "Perspectives." Here is the holding area [my living room] for the paintings I've finished framing.

So proud of my students who exhibited their watercolors with me at the Alamance Community College's Heritage Fair this  week. We  had the most beautiful display ! Plus we sold soome art work.

Annoucing daughter Margaret's new blog. Follow her.

Is it spring?

Can't believe the 75 degree temperature today.I should have been working out in the garden but after a workout at the "Y" I was in sorting art supplies. A patron visited yesterday and selected two watercolors. Both having lots of flowers in the composition. "A Beaufort Porch" and "Chinque-penn Greenhouse," depict two different corners of our North Carolina state.

Charleston in the New Year

Have been enjoying wonderful mild temperatures in North Carolina. Even took a three day get-away to Charleston South Carolina. Found the lovely 1838 B&B to stay. The location right off the middle of town and the College of Charleston couldn't have been better..
My new watercolor classes have started up. I am teaching an in depth study of figures in watercolors. This is a fun experience for me since I have been painting the human form since I was 16. Then my first life model class was at the Brooklyn Museum given by my high school which was a short walk away.

Fun Times

It has been a while since we have taken a family picture. Here we are December 25th, 2011. Some Italian specialties for dinner and wonderful desserts. Fun times for all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It was a busy week. Three days of celebrating my birthday, one with friend Larry Vellani. Went to the "Rembrandt" exhibit at the NC Museum of art, on my birthday. Finishing up the week with our friends' Barbara and Tony's husband and wife birthday party. Along with a case of poison ivy I also did manage to bring my art to the Alamance Co Arts Council for their Christmas Holiday Show.

On Sunday took some fabric designed by daughter Margaret, organized, and sewed a quilt with daughter Liz , and Pedro. Quite a family affair. Hope to take it to one of the local Christmas Bazaars.

Moving the clock back an hour

November tells me another year is coming to a close. Sorry I didn't write about the wonderful exhibits I had since my last blog. August was "Remembering Italy" at the Saxapahaw Artists Gallery. I had about 30 paintings on display and it was truly an Italian event. "Mebansville " played some great Italian songs and my granddaughter Hannah Jackson sang and played her guitar in the downstairs gallery. It was also her 16th birthday.

During September and October new paintings were brought to the Benjamin Vineyard for our first mother-daughter exhibit "celebrating Women." I was honored to have my art along side my daughter Margaret Jackson's beautiful iconic paintings.

October was the time for the Alamance County 2nd annual studio tour. I exhibited my paintings and prints at the sculptor, Cindy Biles Studio in Saxapahaw.

I have taken time to add some new art on the Cafepress site. I have always been pleased with the quality of the products and their customer service on this site A 2012 calendar "La Mia Cucina" is now available in my calendar section. http://www.cafepress.com/gwinnettarts

All the images of my art work on the calendars can be framed.

I hope to be better about keeping up with this blog. Most days are too short.

August & September

August was a busy time exhibiting my "Remembering Italy" paintings at the Saxapahaw Artists Gallery.

Fishing boat painted in Castellammarre, Sicilia.

Hot on Saturday

Watered some plants this morning but staying in to keep cool in North Carolina. The Saxapahaw Artists Gallery had a fantastic opening reception for "American Summer," last evening. If you are close by, come and see the exhibit. It will make you proud and grateful for the beauty of our nation. "Happy 4th."