About Me

I grew up on a farm in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, where I developed a closeness to nature. At Emory and Henry College I studied art with the late George Chavatel. I became a high school English and history teacher, married and had a family. I continued to paint and exhibit. In 2008 I retired from teaching and turned to painting full time. I paint in a detailed, realistic style, both oil and watercolor. Most of my work are landscapes, but I also do animals and flowers.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Thirty Something

In Valle Crucis, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, between two old barns, there is an ancient Dodge truck--a 30-something model.  It is multiple colors and has bushes growing out of its bed.  I imagine that there are stories here, if we only knew.  This is a watercolor painting, 18.5x33--price $850.

D0278

In early January 2011 we had awoke one morning to 5-6 inches of snow.  My husband and I went walking in the white stuff.  At the far end of our neighborhood, beyond any houses, stands this lone fire hydrant.  It's surrounded by woods, so I'm not sure why it is there, but on this morning I thought it was lovely with its cone of snow on top.  So I did this small watercolor of the scene.  The painting is 8x11--price $140.

Top of Roan Mountain

Roan Mountain is a landmark in East Tennessee, along the North Carolina border.  The Appalachian Trail runs across it.  On the mountain top is a "bald," or naturally occurring meadow, relatively flat and covered with grasses, rather than trees.  The mountain top is often shrouded in fog but on clear days, it is very, very beautiful.  This painting is oil on canvas, 10x14--price $250.

Mountain Laurel

This is a small oil painting, 8x10.  Price $135.  Mountain laurel is related to rhododendron; its leaves are smaller, as are its blooms.  The clusters of flowers appear in early summer and are white with faint pink markings.  These grew in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Friday, December 31, 2010

"Silver Run Falls"

Silver Run Falls is in Jackson County in Western North Carolina, just off Highway 130 near Cashiers.  It is a short walk from the highway to the falls, where a small stream pours over a rock cliff into a pool below.  This scene is from early October, where there was just beginning to be a bit of color in the trees.  This is an oil painting, 16x24.  Price is $750.  (email:  mkm28152@yahoo.com)

"Watuaga County Barn"

This is another watercolor of a barn in the Valle Crucis, NC, area.  It stands less than half a mile from the famous Mast Store, on the road that turns up toward Holy Cross Episcopal Church.  At times I've seen tobacco hung to cure in this barn, but this painting shows some sort of farm machinery protruding from the doorway.  The dimensions of the painting are 18x24.  Currently, the painting is on display at the Buffalo Creek Gallery on Warren Street in Shelby, NC.  Price is $850. (email:  mkm28152@yahoo.com)

Monday, November 22, 2010

"Partially Red"

"Partially Red" is a watercolor 24"x18," double matted, in a custom made frame.  The actual barn stands in Valle Crucis, NC, near the famous Mast General Store.  This view was from a summer morning in August 2010.  Price: $900