Good News Amid Stay at Home, Milestones, and Upcoming Shows
Over the past couple months we've all been sequestered away due to social distancing ordinances and the spread of Covid-19. Galleries have been closed, shows cancelled, and events rescheduled. It seems like at every turn there is more bad news, and it’s easy to get consumed by it all. However, even though there's lot of hardships, stresses, and difficulties, there are also good things happening every day. It's been so helpful to find things to be grateful for and invest this stay-at-home time into things that are really important. I'm grateful for friends, family, and collectors that have continued to support my work over the past couple of months with cards, thoughts, prayers, and artwork purchases. During this time apart, I'd like to share with you some good news that happened in the past two months.
INDUCTED INTO THE SOCIETY OF ANIMAL ARTISTS
Society of Animal Artists Many years ago one of my art professors, Joseph Digangi, encouraged me to apply to join the SAA as I furthered my artistic skills. He has been a member of the Society for many years and an artistic mentor of mine. Without his encouragement and support I wouldn't be at this point in my career. It brings me great joy that after the past 5 years of working and applying to this organization, I have been inducted into this prestigious organization.
The Society of Animal Artists (SAA) was founded in 1960, and is devoted to promoting excellence in the artistic portrayal of the creatures sharing our planet, and to the education of the public through art exhibitions, informative seminars, lectures and teaching demonstrations. The SAA's membership, past and present, represents a veritable who's who of artists from around the world.
AWARDED SIGNATURE STATUS IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MARINE ARTISTS
Founded in 1958, The American Society of Marine Artists is a non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to recognize and promote marine art and maritime history, and to encourage cooperation among artists, historians, academics, enthusiasts and others engaged in activities relating to marine art. It is the nation's oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to marine art.
Although I have only been a member for 8 months, the Society generously awarded me Signature Status this month, after being selected this past year for their West Regional Museum Exhibit in Oxnard, CA, and the 18th National Museum Tour Exhibition which visits 5 different museums across the country in 2020 and 2021.
Recently I had the opportunity to attend their Marine Art Conference in VA, and was overwhelmed by the professionalism, collaboration, and generosity of the artist members. I've already learned so much through their workshops, artist lectures, and social gatherings. It was the experience of a lifetime and got to meet some of my artistic marine artist heroes such as Christopher Blossom and Patrick O'Brian. Thank you so much to AMSA for this honor.
LAUNCHED OFFICIAL JOYFUL FINE ART YOUTUBE CHANNEL
In an effort to stay better connected with ya'll and share more content from my studio during social distancing, I've launched a Youtube Channel online. I'll be periodically posting videos that will share works in progress, artistic tips, painting demos, and "How To's"
Please take a moment to subscribe to the channel.
Watch a few of the videos and leave me some comments about what type of material you would like to see from my studio. I really want to tailor this channel for you guys and what you are interested in seeing.
COLLABORATION AND PERSONAL WORKSHOP WITH DEANO COOK
Perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences I've had this past month is the opportunity to both share my artistic process and experience with Deano Cook in his home studio. We spent a whole week learning and painting together.
The first day I did a couple painting demos for him, helped him work on his own painting following my method, and finished off the week starting a collaborative painting based on one of his underwater photographs. From early on in my career, its been important to me to invest in collaboration over competition and surround myself with people who are like-minded people who are passionate about art, the ocean, and conservation.
Deano Cook is a professional marine wildlife photographer, tattoo artist, and painter based in Atlanta.
Click Here to watch a short video of our time together and learn more about this amazing artist.
UPCOMING DEBUT SOLO SHOW WITH CURATE GALLERY
In the late fall of last year, Curate Gallery in Rosemary Beach, FL started representing my work. Although it had to be postponed, I'm pleased to announced I'll be having a debut show with them in July of this year!
If you are in the area, I would love to see you! I'll be featuring some never-seen-before works!
Debut Artist Show
July 14-18, 2020
Artist Reception: July 18th: 5-9pm
Live Painting in Gallery: July 14-17: 1-3pm, 5-9pm