Betty Brubach"Above is one of my most recent works in which Jim Cato and I collaborated.  Jim created the background of red and dark blue stripes laid out with tape as a stencil and I painted a somewhat abstract scene of a path, lighter blue rooftops and windows on top of his underlying painting. 
 
We call this painting "The Path." It is my first abstract,  and I enjoyed the experience, finding it relaxing as it was less detail oriented than realistic paintings to which I am more accustomed.
 
Our collaboration is exciting and interesting to me. He uses acrylic paint and so I do too because he may paint a bit after I do and you shouldn't put acrylic on top of oil paint, which I typically used.   I believe trying new ways of creating art keeps me fresh and interested in the craft.", stated Betty Brubach. 

Amy's paintings reflect her love of nature and incorporates wildlife, flora, landscapes, and textures.  She works in oil, acrylic, and watercolor with a recent focus on watercolor, over textured acrylic grounds. 

Amy teaches workshops from her studio in Troy and gives presentations on painting throughout the mid/south Atlantic region as a Working Artist for Golden Paints and Artist Lecturer for Williamsburg Oils. 

Amy's painting "Take a walk with me" featuring two White Ibises will be on display at the McGuffey Art Center as part of the annual show for the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild, opening on Friday Sept 6.  More info on Amy's work and educational events can be found at www.amyshawley.com
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Even as a young child I loved creating things and pictures, making up plays for my younger siblings to act out, building sand castles, and making music. As an adult, I’ve been fortunate enough to learn, with the help of many fine teachers, how to paint and play with art in various styles and media. When I lived in the Washington DC area, I studied actively, exhibited and won prizes in national shows.
After moving to Charlottesville in 1989, I took a break from art for awhile, and recently found the creative urge returning in a strong way. My kitchen is now an art studio! I paint most days, and find it something I am driven to do. While I find it extremely satisfying, it is also always challenging and stimulating.
My work falls into the category called “Intuitive” or “process” painting. This is the practice of meditating with brush in hand. It requires the suspension of fear, expectations, and the analytical brain. I allow the painting to evolve based on my vision, love of play and experimentation. Currently, I am moving in the direction of conveying the look of the geological formations in the Southwest US, and of social commentary.

Influences:
My calligraphic work, begun four decades ago, predates my working in watercolor, oil, and acrylic. Over time my painting has been influenced by the graceful lines of calligraphy which in turn has been influenced by the vibrancy of watercolors, oils and acrylics. The dramatic flow of calligraphy within the discipline and grace of the letterform literally permeates my thinking when applying a brush stroke, creating a composition, or experimenting with new materials as I have done most recently with textured acrylics.
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Process: 
When I sit down to work at a drafting table or stand at an easel, the process begins. The planning, the warm up, the mixing of colors (my favorite part) is a standard routine. When I get stuck, when inspiration fails, I try to remember that so much of art is simply “showing up.” Frida Kahlo said, and this I believe, “The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to.”

Joan says, "I love the landscape and enjoy the experience of putting my interpretation of Nature’s beauty on canvas. I work primarily in pastel and love the radiance of the pigment as well as the mark making that is possible. These five landscapes were created both en plein air and through the use of photo reference. I hope you enjoy them."  ​

~Dogs I Have Known~

​I truly love animals and nature but i have a great affinity for the dog. They are so perfectly happy with being just as they are and doing almost nothing...just being dogs. And they have an unending supply of love for us no matter how wrapped up in our lives we typically are. They are always there for us. As such I thought I would share some of my favorite dog portraits from over the years. Enjoy! (and hug your pet when you get home!)