Chad Goodman did a fantastic job of producing a video of my art.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWA_etFtDHg

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Sixty works of juried art are on exhibit at Rose Center in Morristown, TN through the end of June.  This is the Morristown Art Association Annual Juried Show.  My original oil painting, "Popcorn Sutton - Mountain Legend" won two awards.  The Virginia Bellamy Award is chosen by the juror and the Polly Kay Award is a purchase award selected by a benefactor of the arts.  I was thrilled. 

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Red Door Gallery in Dandridge, TN held Holiday Open House November 14 & !5.  Pictured with me are my good friend and fellow artist, Lois Armstrong   and Vickie Bolduc, gallery owner.  Other artists featured at the holiday gathering were Kay Alexander, watercolorist and Jeff Bolduc, photographer.
Dandridge is a quaint and lovely town just off I-40 in East Tennessee.  The exceptionally warm weather brought out the holiday spirit or maybe it was all of that good food and the beautiful decorations!
It is going to be a good holiday season! Read More

"Tennessee Vistas", a collection of some of my landscape paintings  is on display at the Jonesboro, TN Visitor Center through November 24.  Jonesboro is a quaint little town that is noted for story telling. Read More

I exhibited at Ramsey House this weekend and had a wonderful time reconnecting with my friends from the Civil War re-enactment community.
Those guys (and gals) are dedicated!  Braving 100 degree temperature to play soldier!  But for most of them it goes beyond the fun and games, it is important to preserve our history and heritage through educating the public as to what our forefathers did.  Tracing their family lines to either or both sides of the war between the states.  Researching the paths their forefathers followed and battles fought and then passing that information on to the next generation is a way honoring their memory.
Roger Kelly, better known as "Butternut" served as my model and inspiration for the latest addition to my Heritage Series, "The Sharpshooter." 

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Where has time gone?!?!  It certainly does not seem like it has been 40 years since 82 kids walked across the stage at North Greene High School to receive our diplomas.  Times were simpler then. We were all country kids and had responsibilities of feeding the calves before going to school.  We mowed lawns and hoed tobacco. We played ball and rode bikes everywhere.  Doors were never locked and everyone knew everyone else. God forbid if you did something you weren't supposed to do, because the grapevine of communication notified your parents quicker than the speed of light.
The Class of 1969 celebrated Saturday night at Locust Springs Christian Retreat, a lovely and peaceful site just about a mile from our old stomping grounds.  It was a lovely evening renewing friendships. 
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I am pleased to announce that James-Ben Gallery in Greeneville, Tennessee is now carrying my art.  They were recently voted the best fine art gallery in the Mountain South which includes Western North Carolina, South-west Virginia and Upper east Tennessee. 
Catch up on some of my recent plein air paintngs at my http:/mariebmerritt.blogspot.com Read More

Plein air, or as we say in Tennessee, pantin' outside!  I finally mustered enough courage to venture out into the weather with painting gear in tow.  I set up the easel, decided on my composition, started to paint, and then one drop...10 drops... deluge!  Ahhhhh, April showers bring May flowers, and oil and water do not mix.  But I'm proud to say that I stayed with it.
Perhaps that would be a valid excuse for making the dogwood look more like a Bradford pear tree.  I did not take the time to do the lacy detail that was needed to have the painting read as a dogwood.
So what was my excuse today on the azalea bush?  Wind, of course! Plus Paul made me move my easel so he could get the lawn mower out of the storage area that I was blocking. 
Some artists make painting on location look so easy.  Roger Dale Brown, a marvelous artist and excellent instructor, told us in the workshop this past weekend, that if we wanted to improve our work that we needed to paint, paint, paint.
I will get better at this style of painting!  Yes, I will. Read More

Today's landscape is from the photo files.  I have plenty of farm scenes photos, but wanted to get on with painting this morning, so visited the image files at wetcanvas.com.  I had intended to paint a summer hay bale, but really liked the winter scene.  Note to self....get photos organized!!
I am taking a workshop with Roger Dale Brown later this week and thought I needed to brush up on some landscapes. 
Original Oil "Winter Hay" 9x12 on canvas.  Contact Marie to inquire about purchasing this or any other art work. Read More

I had planned to paint outside today, but the weather forecast was for rain.  Being a wussy when it comes to braving the elements, I decided to paint a landscape from one of my photos. 
The Artist's United Convention at Surf Side Beach, SC is in a couple of weeks and since I intend to do some plein air painting while there, this was a good exercise.
I probably will add a figure on the beach or a sea gull in the air when the painting dries. 

4-13-09 "Surf Side Beach" Original Oil 11"x14" To inquire about purchasing this or any other painting, contact Marie.  Read More