The events of the day as they unfold can, in a moment, bring tears of anger or tears of compassion, and the next moment fill the human heart with gratitude. In these days a truly frightening string of events can bring the crumbling of trust and hope of unity in our country. It could not have been planned with better success in aiming at the destruction of our fibers. That proves that time does not always heal.
Speaking of time and the beautiful spring in this lovely Shenandoah Valley, it brings me back to my March and April art show at the Staunton-Augusta library. The March show was of Giclee copies of my oil paintings which included my most prized paintings of the First Ladies of Virginia….first time showings in my own home town of Staunton, Va.– of Roxane Gilmore-the original of which is currently being displayed in the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Va.and the portrait of Jeannie Baliles, the original of which is currently is being displayed in the Historical Library of Virginia in Richmond, Va. Both ladies are examples of the beautiful and accomplished first ladies of our state. In addition the March display included several other formal and informal portraits of the Honorable Judge Thomas Wood, the Reverend Fox, former Headmaster of Stuart Hall and Linda Lunsford, former principal of T. C. McSwain school.
The month of April was dedicated to Giclee copies of my pastels of the beautiful children in my life. I have happy memories of painting each of the little ones. This was a fitting show for the season of life and spring. This library was once the Thomas Jefferson Elementary school. I have a special ‘thank you’ for the people who staff the the library. There were many helping hands in setting up the displays. We have good people here. It has been a wonderful spring and am looking forward to the May Art in the Park show in Gypsy Hill Park.