Welcome to the Winter Months of 2021! 2020 was quite the year for me as I quit my job as Gallery Manager at Coffey & Thompson Art Gallery and accepted an executive assistant position with Art Appraisal Services. I am getting quite the first hand view on art appraisals and also getting to use my photography skills in photographing art for clients. It has been really rewarding so far. When COVID hit in March of 2020, I began taking art lessons with an artist I represented at Coffey & Thompson, Bryan Wilson. I began by painting acrylic pieces of orchids and then decided I wanted to switch to oil. Bryan's work features mainly personalized oil portraits of his life and family. He encouraged me to explore many mediums and even helped me with a highly detailed multi media piece entitled "Once Upon A Time: A New York Story".

In December, I applied to the Charlotte Art League's small works & about 15 pieces of mine were selected for the show! I then decided since I no longer had gallery space I would become a member and rent wall space there. I have been giving private showings of my work since then and love the collaborative work space of Charlotte Art League. Bryan Wilson has a studio there and introduced me to the space, so I feel welcome and have already sold some pieces!

I also have work at my husbands business American Beauty Garden Center and Do No Harmacy. I love the florals there because it is such a nice compliment to the Garden Center and have also sold pieces there and am able to have private showings. You can also find my metal prints, coasters and notecards at CLT FIND a great Charlotte store located in 7th Street Market run by two amazing women. See the video below to see my work at American Beauty Garden Center!

All in all, living in a worldwide pandemic has changed me but has not stopped me! Working on an oil portrait of myself holding my Canon Rebel T5i and feeling grateful for all that I do have! Blessings to you all XOXO, Julie