Angel's Watch

Angel’s Watch is the 2^nd painting I did for the Springfield Art Guild Show, "Dying to Get In."  I did find a number of angel statuary that I liked but this was my favorite, maybe because of the lighting. We were driving down Washington Blvd. in Alexandria, Va. when I spotted this statute at the gate of a cemetery and asked my husband to pull over and stop.  It was getting dark, but the cemetery entrance was at a traffic light.  I waited until cars stopped across the street at the light and illuminated the statute.  It is in St. Mary's Cemetery, established in 1795, the oldest Catholic Cemetery in Virginia.  

Angel's Watch, 12x12" acrylic on canvas in floating frame ($250)

My husband is great about stopping.  When I ask him to pull over without warning he just does it. He knows there is a picture I want to take somewhere close. 

This art show and a friend who is into genealogy have given me a new understanding and interest in walking through cemeteries. They really are interesting outdoor museums. 

Standing Guard

Standing Guard, 8x10" acrylic on gessobord ($200)

Standing Guard was one of two paintings I did as part of the Springfield Art Guild Show "Dying To Get In."  The theme for the show was finding beauty in any cemetery. Funny how getting involved in a theme show makes you look at things so differently.  Who knew cemeteries could be do interesting when I started visiting cemeteries to decide what to paint.  I knew I wanted to paint statuary.  I thought I was looking for angels, but found myself in an old cemetery in Pennsylvania with revolutionary & civil war statues. 

Of course, in keeping with the theme, the show & reception were held in October.  Costumes were encouraged for the reception and we had a great time.  

The show was also for a good cause.  It was done in concert with FCCPA, an organization to preserve the family and community cemeteries in Fairfax County, VA.  There are over 400 cemeteries in Fairfax County, some as small as two stones adjacent to a parking lot of a strip mall.  The FCCP spoke at a Guild meeting and talked about how each cemetery has a story to tell about the people of our community and the past. Cemeteries are really historical resources and outdoor museums. 

• The Springfield Art Guild (SAG) is a local non profit group of about 100 artists.  SAG sponsors art shows and has a meeting once a month to enjoy presentations by guest speakers.  The monthly meetings are free and open to the public.  Being a member of SAG or any local guild is a great way to meet other artists in the community, learn about art opportunities and promote your own work.  SAG has a great on-line newsletter.  To learn more about the Springfield Art Guild go to http://www.springfieldartguild.com/