Eddie's Rockfish

After re-connecting with my college roommate (Univ of Florida - Delta Delta Delta) via Facebook, she commissioned me to paint a "Rockfish" (Striped Bass) for her son's room. They live in North Carolina, so this is a fish not usually caught around Mobile Bay. After researching it in my field guides and on the internet, I was able to capture the form and color in the 10x20 painting. She said it looked great in Eddie's room.

Bayhouse Portrait

I just finished up this portrait of a client's mother-in-law's bayhouse. The painting is a suprise for her birthday. I was given some photos of the house and also photos of all the grandchildren sitting on the steps. I combined them for a gift that will be surely treasured. Doesn't it make you want to go there and sit under the shady oaks?

Shared Expressions Exhibit

My photograph, "Abba's Woods" was accepted into the "Shared Expressions" Juried Exhibition at the Mobile Museum of Art. This exhibition demonstrates the wealth of talent and diversity of interests among the artists of the Mobile Bay region. Invitations were sent to 10 arts organizations to select from their members work which best exemplifies the creativity and accomplishments of their respective media.

I took this photograph in Marion Junction, AL on a friend's property out in the country. They have lakes, fields, horses and this section of woods, where they go to pray. It was such a peaceful surrounding. The fact that a tree grew in the shape of a cross in such a Godly place, was amazing to me.

For more information on the exhibit,

http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com/index.php?sector=3&view=3

Artwalk Featured Artist - Lyon's Share Gallery

First Friday Artwalk-Lyon's Share Gallery

My youngest collector! This young man is 8 years old, loves to fish and purchased his favorite redfish with his Christmas money! After we all went crazy about how cute he was, my husband snapped this photo with the camera on his phone.
My mom and my surrogate mom, Sabe Fink (my best friend's mother that I've known since I was four years old) chatting in the gallery:

My husband Marc and my uncle Danny in front of the "Featured Artist" wall.

My newest peices - a huge tarpon on a antique shutter (French Mediterranean 1890's). Also a piece that incorporates many of the subjects I often paint, but in one long artwork. It's called "Bay Bounty" and has oysters, speck, redfish and a bluecrab (also on an antique shutter).

Here's another new piece. It's the first time I've done a flounder. It was so much fun to paint! He is mounted in an antique window frame. The glass has been removed and I replaced it with vintage, reclaimed tin roofing. On the old door panel hanging below the flounder, is a speckled trout. I had three speckled trout pieces (on various mounts) and they all sold.
Here's me, in front of the wall of artwork. That represents a lot of painting hours!
Thanks so much to Mike and Kelley Lyon's (gallery owners) and Patrick M. (gallery manager) for all their hard work in set-up, refreshments, sales and just being a jovial bunch! A great time was had by all.

Mobile Art Association Spring Juried Show

Mother and Daughter

Both Win Awards at MAA Spring Juried Exhibition

MOBILE, AL – April 30, 2009 –Suzanne Hodgin Fox and Jennifer Fox Allen, mother and daughter, both received awards at the Mobile Art Association’s 2009 Spring Juried Exhibition. The opening reception and awards ceremony was held at the West Regional Branch of the Mobile Public Library.

Suzanne Fox was presented the Morris Gallery Merit Award for her watercolor titled “Pirate’s Cove”. Jennifer Allen was presented the Calagaz Photo and Digital Imaging Certificate for the Best Photographic Artwork for her piece titled “Outdoor Sink Reflections”. Presenting the awards was the newly installed President of the Mobile Art Association, Ernest Kirkland. Kirkland also won the Oleta Delaplaine Memorial Member’s Choice Award, presented to the artist whose work was selected by a MAA member vote at the exhibit reception, for his oil painting, “Jedidiah”.

Me and my mom, with Mr. Kirkland in the middle.

Standing in front of my photograph. I was awarded a $100 gift certificate to Calagaz Photo!

Mom and me in front of her watercolor painting. She won a $100 cash award.

There was a lot of good artwork from a variety of local artists and the reception was very nice. If you are interested in joining the MAA, let me know. There are many opportunities for shows and to learn from fellow artists.

Festival of Flowers

Thanks to all that inquired about my booth at Festival of Flowers. Here, you can see the display as the sun FINALLY came out on Saturday after 3 days in the rain and mud. Saturday and Sunday were beautiful and people really enjoyed looking at all the great vendor booths as well as the Festival itself. Thanks to all my sweet friends that helped out during the week. I had a great time, made some good contacts and had some sales as well.

ESAC - Children's Field Trip

Eastern Shore Art Center

School Field Trip Projects

Nancy Raia is Director of ABC (Arts Bridging Creativity) at the Eastern Shore Art Center. The ABC program takes arts into local schools, incorporating art into many areas of learning and giving children exposure to the arts that many schools would not have without ABC’s efforts. Member artists and interested volunteers help with field trips to the Art Center, which give students hands-on experience and exposure to professional artists at work. To read more about Nancy Raia, click http://www.esartcenter.com/NancyRaia.htm. She is amazing!

A recent 4th grade gifted class visited ESAC on a field trip. As they viewed the "EcoART" exhibit, they were asked to choose their favorite piece from the gallery. The children then created their own collage, to represent a favorite work. Here are several that chose one of my mixed media paintings. Isn't that awesome? They created a wonderful piece of artwork in their own style!