I was THRILLED to find out today, that my painting entitled "Out of Africa" was awarded the honor "Finalist - Oustanding Abstract" by the FAV Jury in the June, 2010 Fine Art Views Competition. Because I am primarily a watercolorist (and more often than not...a painter of whimsical watercolors), I am extremely grateful to have won an honor in this category!

To purchase, please contact me by e-mail: chrissutherlandart@gmail.com

In additional to a lot of the whimsical subject matter I so often paint, I really love abstract painting. Over the last several years, I have taken abstract painting workshops with Carole Barnes, Sterling Edwards and Bob Burridge, etc.  and developed a real passion for it. I initially took the abstract painting classes to stretch my horizons as an artist and I like to do something completely out of my comfort zone to rev up creativity and thought. Now that I have a body of work built up, I am entering some shows as an abstract artist. In my paintings, I like to leave a "clue" or point of interest, using a realistic element to entice the viewer to look deeper and seek a relationship of their own with what they see.......

The first 3 weekends in May, I did 3 shows. The first was WHIMSICAL WOMEN, May 1st in Chapel Hill. It was a blast. Wonderful artists, great crowd, food and music! It was a unique experience. A party and show rolled into one! I can't wait to do the one in the fall, Nov. 20th!!!

Then on May 8th, I travelled to Urbanna, VA (Northern Neck) for ART ON THE HALF SHELL. I got to catch up with lots of artist friends participating, too. Unfortunately, the morning of the show, I arrived to find my tent upside down in a yard with pieces scattered around. The show volunteers were extremely helpful and we "reassembled" my tent. Luckily, I did not leave any art inside the tent like the potter several spaces down. Apparently, 50 mile an hour wind gusts went through the site that night and about 6-7 tents were hit. Ahhh, the perils of outdoor shows, for those of you who think it must always be great fun.....

May 15th and 16th, I was in Huntersville NC (Charlotte) at Maddi's Carolina Folk Art Festival. I love this show. The set up is easy, the buyers plentiful, and the hosts are SOOOO nice! I met some wonderful artists, too.

It is official! I am now truly a whimsical woman!!! I will be an artist at the 14th annual WHIMSICAL WOMEN Spring Art Show in Chapel Hill, NC. I had heard about this group and attended the fall show on a farm in Pfafftown, NC (the Triad area). It was such a blast! I saw unbelievably clever and unique art, jewelry, crafts, and garden items...all made by whimsical women. All of the artists brings lots of delicious food (not oreos, cheese and crackers, really great food), and the event is so well organized, from the ease in parking to the check out area where you only have to pay once! For more info, please visit the blog:
whimsical-women.blogspot.com

I hope to see you there!!!!!!!

We are expecting 4-10 inches of snow tonight and this weekend. The good news: I can stay inside and paint all weekend!!! The bad news: The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (NSA) opening reception tomorrow has been cancelled as they are expecting the same snow in Suffolk, Virginia. Oh, well! I hope that once Monday rolls around, everyone in the Tidewater area will be anxious to get out and go buy art! The attached painting, BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER, is one of my new mixed media pieces in the NSA show.

Here is my Christmas card from last year...My husband did not like the fact that someone had "taken a bite outta him". It was funny, some people noticed and commented, others did not. I love a little humor this time of year! Hope your holidays are wonderful!

The truth is...that in the South...we wear flip flops year round. They are not just for summer. And if they wear out, we ALWAYS have at least one more pair in the closet. Okay, so maybe we don't wear them in the snow, but seriously, who has snow more than one or two days in the winter? And if it does snow, we don't have snowplows, so we can still wear our flip flops in the house while we drink hot chocolate.

Last month, I was the featured artist on the Community Arts Cafe website (www.communityartscafe.com). This is a great site, full of all kinds of information for the Triad area. I was also thrilled to have my paintings hanging in Chelsee's Cafe on Trade Street, home of the perfect coffee drink! I painted this painting specifically for the show, it will be the first in a series, so stay tuned!

This is one of my most popular paintings, and such fun for me, too! I sell these limited edition giclees matted in either 8x10 or 11x14 mats.  I will put initials in the tree! Dates or quotes along the roots! I love to hear the stories about them, too. Many are purchased for weddings (especially this time of year), anniversaries, the birth of a new baby, and on and on.  For more details, and to purchase, please visit  my etsy shop: www.chrissutherland.etsy.com.

O.K., I admit it. I love American Idol. And this year has been great, thanks to the unbelievably talented Adam Lambert. I cannot believe that he is not already a star. And I was just shocked tonight when he was in the bottom 3. This must be some kind of joke...to keep everyone watching, since we all know he is in a class alone, a true ARTIST. If you did not call in this week, shame on you!

The last time I enjoyed the show and contestants as much, was 2006, the year Taylor Hicks won. I was fortunate enough to go to Birmingham, AL to see the American Idol tour. Birmingham is Taylor's hometown, and the Soul Patrol was out in full force. One of Taylor's fans is depicted in the photo.

If you are not an American Idol fan, oh well...you are missing out on some fun....