Kendel Ehrlich Portrait - Spring 2008

In February of last year, Kendel Ehrlich asked me to paint her Official Portrait for the Governor's Mansion in Annapolis, Maryland. Each time a Govenor leaves office, his official portrait is painted and hangs permanently in the State House. The First Ladies also each have their portraits painted and the large collection of these hang permanently in Government House, the official resident of the Govenor of Maryland and his family. Kendel Ehrlich was a wonderful subject, a very generous spirit. The story behind her portrait is complex and interesting, with the focus on capturing a portrait that is telling of her time as the First Lady of Maryland. The portrait will be on view later this Spring, in the public rooms of Government House.

Florence Biennale - Winter 2007

I was honored in the middle of last year to be invited to exhibit in the 2007 Florence Biennale, in Florence, Italy. In December, JF and I left the farm in Ussy and made the overnight train trip into Florence. The Biennale brings together painters, sculptors and contemporary visual artists from all over the world. The President of Italy was in attendance for the opening ceremonies, and each day of the eight day exhibit brought scholars to hold discussions and lectures pertaining to modern art. A small group of friends from Annapolis came to Italy to share the festivities. Brian and Sarah Cahalan from 49 West Cafe' and Bret Mingo and his girlfriend Sandy arrived the day of the opening ceremonies, and we ate and drank our way across the city of Florence.

Dave Wright, (Annapolis and Montreal) is the benefactor responsible for getting the whole project off the ground and running. Many thanks, Dave!

The photo is the group of us in front of my three paintings.

Jump!