Painting is my passion but up until the fall of 2005, I didn't know I could paint! (And I have grown grandchildren!) Thanks to my friend, Heather, asking me to take a one half day a week painting class with her at Wilson Tech Community College in Wilson, N.C., I now enjoy that passion every day.
My third painting, a Great White Egret, was selected to hang in the main offices of the N.C. Community College system for a year. Then it hung in the N.C. Dept of Insurance main conference room at the head of the conference table for a year. At the end of that year, I picked it up and it sold two days later. The painting, "I can't believe I Ate the Whole Thing", also hung at the main offices of the N.C. Community College system for a year. It was also on display in Clayton during June, 2010.
I have taken three courses at Wilson Tech Community College with Ms. Clara Flanagan, a wonderful painter and instructor. Also, I've completed Art I and Art II at Johnston County Community College in Smithfield, N.C. Mr. John Byrd, my instructor (an accomplished artist and great teacher) forced me to expand my horizons. I thought it would be impossible to reproduce a master painting but find I really enjoy it.
Dominic Vignola, a world-wide respected tonal painter from Chicago, introduced me to tonal painting without drawing. If you go to "you tube" and put in his name, you can see him at work. I use his techniques in a lot my paintings. I have taken two of his courses and will take more in the future.
My introduction to mixed media, big brushes and vibrant color came from Mr. Bob Rankin, of Raleigh, N.C. Bob is one of America's foremost artists and teachers and I'm lucky to live close to him.
My first paintings I signed with my nick-name, "Miki". Now, I sign them with my given name, "Adelaide".
Painting relaxes me. As I work on a painting, it comes alive in my mind. If you asked me what was important in creating a painting, I would have to say form, light and shadow and multiple layers of glazing. Vibrant color doesn't hurt, either.