Darlings, do come and enjoy some nibbles, wine, and fine art today at the reception. Don’t worry about what to wear. Come as you are, unless of course, you want an excuse to wear your top hat or bowler. This is a perfect time for that. Anyone I see who comes convincingly costumed as Queen of the Night or Papageno wins a painting from me! (And possibly your photo in the newspaper.)
Today, 2 -4 PM, Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel, MD.
My landscape painting “Pedernal,” has juried into the Rockville Art League’s Exhibit, which is held in the beautiful Glenview Mansion, in Rockville, Maryland. The Glenview Mansion is seated in a 153 acre wooded parkland and landscaped greenspace. The elegant style of an historic 19th-century pillared, neoclassical mansion creates the perfect backdrop for a fine art exhibit of excellence. Individual or group tours may be scheduled during the week, or you may see the exhibit on your own. Call 240-314-8660 for more information. The exhibit runs from December 5, 2010 – January 3, 2010.
Reception: Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 1:30 – 3:30 PM. Presentation of awards at 2 PM. Light refreshments to follow.
One of the operas that I was always happy to see at the Santa Fe Opera when I was a child was Mozart’s, “The Magic Flute,” which tells a charming and fantastic story of a bird seller, a captured princess, a prince who wants to rescue her, an evil Queen of the Night, a priest and, a magic flute. The plot is complicated for a child, with mysterious rituals and intrigue, but also gaiety, wistful longing and love. Papageno’s theme song and chimes, along with the appearance of a monster and animals, made it one of the favorite, yet least understood operas of my childhood. What I found compelling was the incredible vocal range of The Queen of the Night, and the active and intense dramatic interaction of music, lighting, costumes, scenery and cast as they presented an opera full of imagination and wonder, exuding the profound brilliance and complexity of Mozart.
As I was painting, I could almost hear the swirl of the instruments tuning prior to the beginning of the first act, the swishing of women’s skirts on stage, the booming deep voice of the men, and the high repetitive notes of The Queen of the Night. I laughed again at silly Papageno, as I remembered his antics, chimes and song. I hope you sense some of the excitement and wonder I felt as the lights turned on, the music began, and the story began to unfold as you view my painting, “The Magic Flute.”
My painting, “The Magic Flute,” has been juried into this exhibit.
Patuxent Art League 20th Annual Open Juried Art Exhibition
Montpelier Arts Center
Main Gallery December 12 –January 2.
Reception and Awards ceremony: Sunday, Dec. 12, 2-4 pm.
Juror: artist and educator, David Lawton.
Montpelier Arts Center is on the grounds of the beautiful and historic Montpelier Mansion which dates to 1873.
"Clown Mask"
A watercolor in my sketch book.
Woodlawn Manor Museum
I delivered three of my paintings to Woodlawn Manor Museum today. I was glad to have help carrying my 3′ X 5′ painting and the two other smaller ones. I was to discover the mystery of the servant’s stair case in this historic manor house, but on the way I passed smaller buildings on the grounds of the museum.
The earth was being dug and carefully sieved, as the study of this historic site continues even today.
I continued toward the manor house, and past the archaeological dig site among the smaller wooden buildings on the grounds. At the manor house, I took a few steps into the servant’s entrance and then found the servant’s staircase. It is long, steep and narrow, with worn sloping steps and doors to every room, both to the right and the left. I could almost feel the thudding steps of rushing servants hurrying to answer their master’s calls. The books I’d read as a child about mysterious hidden staircases finally made complete sense. This ingenious hidden staircase had access to every floor of the house, and every room.
The mystery of this day was how to get a 3′ x 5′ painting up those steep, narrow stairs and around the tight corners.
Once my paintings were placed along the wall in the dining room and ready to be hung, there was time for a look out the dining room window. There was rumor that my large painting would be displayed over the fireplace, but it was still too early to tell.
Then it was time to go. As we left, we drove past a large old stone barn on the expansive property.
I’m looking forward to returning to this beautiful setting for the show. I hope to see you there! If you can’t make it to the artist’s reception, and would like to go with me on another day, please let me know.
November 6 – 14, 2010
12 Noon to 4 PM
Artist’s Reception 12 – 4 PM, Sunday, November 7th
Woodlawn Manor Museum
16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860
Free Admission and Parking
Light Refreshment
November 6 – 14, 2010
12 Noon to 4 PM
Artist’s Reception 12 – 4 PM, Sunday, November 7th
Woodlawn Manor Museum
16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, Maryland 20860
Free Admission and Parking
My oil paintings “Los Alamos Before the Storm,” “Pedernal,” and “Hope Valley” are being shown in this juried exhibition.
Created by Tim Grosvenor
