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 In my last post, I reported that Trackside Studios in 375 Depot Street in the River Arts District changed building ownership. There was some trepidation about how a new Trackside was envisioned for us by the new owners. The owners were nothing but supportive of new ideas offered by our three artist-managers, Lynn Stanley. Julie Bell and Michael Campbell. Our space expanded from a portion of the first floor to a second floor for artists who want to use Trackside for their work studios. “Hanging walls” provided enough extra display walls to allow doubling the number of our Trackside artists- there are now 60- and also have a new well-lighted, spacious workroom for painting classes for children and adults in a variety of mediums. The Grand Re-0pening at the end of February had a great turn-out. If you haven’t been by Trackside this year, please drop in for a visit. As well as touring Trackside, you might be able to get some great food or coffee- that’s still in the works.
I’ve been a member of Trackside Studios since early days. The building had add-ons, termites, roof leaks and other assorted issues expected of a neglected historic building. To my mind, Trackside was a wonderful atmosphere for ‘starving artists’. So there was some concern last year about a renovation by new owners Deborah, Sam and David Hellman.
You are cordially invited to the celebration of the Trackside Re-Opening
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  "Hommage a Cezanne et Van Gogh", 12 x 16 in. Oil Painting by Virginia Pendergrass | "Lemon and Grapes", 12 x 16 in. Representational Oil Painting by Virginia Pendergrass This post is in appreciation to all the teachers, gallery owners, fellow artists, patrons and friends who helped me see and pursue beauty in art. I have also been inspired by artists whose work delighted me in books and museums. But there is one theme which serves a special purpose in supporting my painting over the years. An instructor in a workshop I took early on asked me, “What is your painting style?” I blurted out, “Slash and burn.” I loved to put color on a canvas and totally neglected planning before splashing. After a workshop with a fabulous representational landscape painter, Scott Christensen, I painted more thoughtfully. But occasionally, I felt in need of a break. I chose a workshop with CW Mundy. Midway in the instruction, he startled classmates by asking if we wanted to be impressionists. As each of us answered yes, he took a Gamsol cloth to erase all the hard lines in our paintings and advised us that round oranges are boring. Yes! The final step in learning the purpose of 'slash and burn' was an art critic’s assessment of Cézanne’s still lifes as “brutal.” -Yes! (Even though Cézanne was meticulous in his planning and painting). I painted a 'slash and burn' in gratitude to Cezanne with “Hommage à Cézanne and Van Gogh.“ I still paint representational still lifes and landscape, but when I feel bored or stuck, I take a break and return to my ´slash and burn’ roots. |
‘Catawba- Craggy Gardens” 11 x 14 in. Oil Painting by Virginia Pendergrass
Bugs, rain and snow, heat, insects hauling heavy equipment on rocky trails to a waterfall or mountain view- ah, the wonderful natural environment for painters in plein air.
Why would painters not paint in their studios from photos or imagination with all their equipment at hand; heating and air conditioning, shelter and toilets in spaces regularly treated for bugs and rodents? Representational artists say that the study of subjects in life leads to better paintings. True...
Bugs, rain and snow, heat, insects hauling heavy equipment on rocky trails to a waterfall or mountain view- ah, the wonderful natural environment for painters in plein air.
Why would painters not paint in their studios from photos or imagination with all their equipment at hand; heating and air conditioning, shelter and toilets in spaces regularly treated for bugs and rodents? Representational artists say that the study of subjects in life leads to better paintings. True...
'Mighty French Broad', 9 x 12 in. Oil painting by Virginia Pendergrass
But I have a different theory- painting plein air induces calm and living in the moment.
After visiting Western North Carolina, I was struck by the calming effect of its beautiful landscapes. The majestic blue mountains gradually came into view and tension drifted away. This calming effect led me to hike to waterfalls, rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom, dramatic skies, mountain overlooks and more.
Painting itself is another key to calming by living in the moment. In drawing and painting, time studying a landscape leads to deep appreciation for the beauty of almost everything. There is no thought but what I see and what I do to translate the beauty to my canvas.
Plein air is addictive- it induces calm, and for an hour or three, keeps the painter in the moment. That's my theory why some painters get hooked.
When the pandemic started, I kinda wore a mask sometimes, and stayed home more than usual. However, as the infections rose, I wore a mask (except for forgetting), and stayed home (except for groceries, doctor’s appointments, and delivery of paintings to galleries).
Like many of my compatriots, with time on my hands, I undertook a thorough Spring house cleaning. As I scoured a bathroom, I recalled some beautiful paintings by Gregg Kreutz, reproduced in his book Problem Solving for Oil Painters (Watson-Guptil Publications), featuring kitchens and a bathroom. The bathroom in particular is spectacular- all shades of ‘white’ with dramatic shadows in contrast to light streaming through a window.
My house is very modern, so it does not have the appeal of some of the vintage appliances depicted by Gregg. But I was once inspired to paint a soap dish, and for a series of painting called “Toys”, I painted bathroom scenes. Depending on the way you look at it, there is beauty everywhere!
Gate F9- Atlanta Airport
In 2020, I signed up for a six-week ‘stay’ program in Bordeaux, France. Having visited Paris, and painted in Aix-en-Provence and Bedoin, I was very excited to see a new locale in France- the program included day trips to Bayonne and Biarritz as well as walking tours in Bordeaux. Of course, I was also looking forward to painting there, as well as improve my pitiful French speaking skills. On the 5th day in France, I scouted some delightful painting sites- City Hall (Hotel de Ville), outdoor markets, Roman ruins, St. Andre Cathedral, the museum of renowned history of Bordeaux wine, outdoor cafés and people in the streets. Unfortunately, the next day my tour group was informed that the President was closing the US borders due to CoVid.
Our dedicated tour leader, Caroline, scrambled all night to get new air reservations for the eighteen members to various countries. The flights were not the most desirable due to high demand, and we were not certain that we would be able to enter the US without quarantine. However, due to the surprise of the announcement, there were no arrangements in place for screening, and we buzzed through.
Several participants considered staying in Paris or Bordeaux. On day 6, Bordeaux was put on strict lockdown- no leaving living quarters without a permission slip for essential purposes. Luckily, our group leader wrangled the undecideds onto their flights.
I didn’t have an opportunity, what with jet lag and trip interruption, to paint in Bordeaux on this trip, but in 2021, I signed up for the stay program again- this painting of a masked couple at the airport was my first painting on the way.
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Entrance to Hotel de Ville- Bordeaux
Open Market Busker- Bordeaux
Oil painting by Virginia Pendergrass of "Ballerina Angelina" sculpted by Stefan "Steebo" Bonitz at the Depot on Railroad Street in Brevard, NC.
In the early 2000s, artist Ann Dergara, Susan Hershey, photographer, and gallery businesswoman Joan Van Orman envisioned Brevard, NC, my home town, as an art destination. I call them the “Three Mothers of Art” in Brevard, NC.
Ann took the first step by challenging the city council when she was instructed to remove a sculpture on the sidewalk in front of her gallery, Red Wolf. She convinced council members that her sculpture should stay where it was, AND that Brevard needed many more throughout town. Ann solicited local sculptors to join in her campaign for outdoor art, and sought sponsors to pay for the sculptures. Brevard now has sculptures of elk, white squirrels, bobcats, ravens and butterflies, cows with calves, and more on its ‘Sculpture Trail’. “Ballerina Angelina”, created by sculptor Stefan “Steebo” Bonitz and sponsored by Robert Plafsky, stands on tiptoe next to the revived historic Depot on Railraod St.
Susan and Joan established a new gallery featuring local artists; their business plan envisioned Brevard as an art destination. Although they have since retired their gallery, their goal of Brevard as an art destination soldiered on.
Recently, I participated in the third year of “Art in the Air”, a plein air festival initiated by a relative newcomer to Brevard, Lucy Clark, owner of the Lucy Clark Gallery. Lucy collaborated with the ‘Heart of Brevard’ businesses in inviting regional artists to paint the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains and state forests, as well as Brevard itself.
Visitors' and locals' reviews were clear- “I’ll see you next year.” Brevard is an art destination!
Ann took the first step by challenging the city council when she was instructed to remove a sculpture on the sidewalk in front of her gallery, Red Wolf. She convinced council members that her sculpture should stay where it was, AND that Brevard needed many more throughout town. Ann solicited local sculptors to join in her campaign for outdoor art, and sought sponsors to pay for the sculptures. Brevard now has sculptures of elk, white squirrels, bobcats, ravens and butterflies, cows with calves, and more on its ‘Sculpture Trail’. “Ballerina Angelina”, created by sculptor Stefan “Steebo” Bonitz and sponsored by Robert Plafsky, stands on tiptoe next to the revived historic Depot on Railraod St.
Susan and Joan established a new gallery featuring local artists; their business plan envisioned Brevard as an art destination. Although they have since retired their gallery, their goal of Brevard as an art destination soldiered on.
Recently, I participated in the third year of “Art in the Air”, a plein air festival initiated by a relative newcomer to Brevard, Lucy Clark, owner of the Lucy Clark Gallery. Lucy collaborated with the ‘Heart of Brevard’ businesses in inviting regional artists to paint the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains and state forests, as well as Brevard itself.
Visitors' and locals' reviews were clear- “I’ll see you next year.” Brevard is an art destination!
"Deep Breath of Air- Blue Ridge" oil painting
by Virginia Pendergrass
by Virginia Pendergrass
Gate F9 at the Airport | In 2020, I signed up for a six-week ‘stay’ program in Bordeaux, France. Having visited Paris, and painted in Aix-en-Provence and Bedoin, I was very excited to see new locales- the program included day trips to the coast as well as walking tours in Bordeaux. Of course, I was also looking forward to painting while there, as well as improve my pitiful French speaking and listening abilities. On the 4th day in France, I scouted some delightful painting possibilities- City Hall, outdoor markets, Roman ruins, St. Andre Cathedral, the museum of renowned history of Bordeaux wine, outdoor cafés and people in the streets. |
 | In July, Rapid River Arts and Culture Magazine invites artists to pay homage to influencers on their art. My homage is to all the teachers, gallery owners, fellow artists, patrons and friends who helped me see and pursue beauty in painting. I have also been inspired by artists whose work delighted me in books and museums. But there is one underlying theme which continues to serve a special purpose over the years. In an early workshop, the instructor asked me, “What is your painting style?” I blurted out, “Slash and burn.” I loved to put color on a canvas and totally neglected planning before splashing. I painted more thoughtfully after a workshop with a fabulous representational landscape painter and teacher, Scott Christensen. But occasionally, I felt in need of a break. I chose a workshop with CW Mundy. Midway, he startled classmates by asking if we wanted to be impressionists. As each of us answered yes, he took a Gamsol cloth and erased all the hard lines in our paintings and advised us that round oranges are boring. Yes! The final step was an art critic’s assessment of Cézanne’s still lifes as “brutal.” (Even though Cézanne was meticulous in his planning and painting)-Yes! I painted “Hommage à Cézanne and Van Gogh.“ I still paint representational still life and landscape, but when I feel bored or stuck, I return to my ´slash and burn’ roots. |
 | My homage is to all the teachers, gallery owners, fellow artists, patrons and friends who helped me see and pursue beauty in art. I have also been inspired by artists whose work delighted me in books and museums. But there is one underlying theme which continues to affect my painting over the years. |
Graveyard Fields
I particularly enjoy plein air painting, but followed early guidelines for COVID. After completing every possible household chore, packing up stuff for Goodwill, learning how to shop during COVID, and trying a dozen different masks, I was ready to get out of the house.
I went to Cashiers, NC to check out a beautiful waterfall in Holly Forest, but the path to Narrows Falls was washed out, and untrimmed underbrush prevented view of the falls. Checked Living Waters off 281 on the way to Blue Ridge - it’s a slippery slope down to the falls for a solitary painter. Tried Dupont Forest- jammed with summer visitors in cars circling for a space to Park. Bridal Falls? The access road was closed off. A Rosman waterfall on private land where painters used to be welcome? sold and closed.
So I went home, rifled through my photos of waterfalls, and painted Graveyard Field Falls and a rocky stretch of Little River with rills. I do love plein air, but must admit that my studio does not require a hike to a beautiful spot, it has a fridge for cold drinks and a comfortable chair. Anything I forget to lay out before I began is right there at hand, rather than a half-mile away. There is a nice fan for air exchange and cooling. What’s not to like?
I went to Cashiers, NC to check out a beautiful waterfall in Holly Forest, but the path to Narrows Falls was washed out, and untrimmed underbrush prevented view of the falls. Checked Living Waters off 281 on the way to Blue Ridge - it’s a slippery slope down to the falls for a solitary painter. Tried Dupont Forest- jammed with summer visitors in cars circling for a space to Park. Bridal Falls? The access road was closed off. A Rosman waterfall on private land where painters used to be welcome? sold and closed.
So I went home, rifled through my photos of waterfalls, and painted Graveyard Field Falls and a rocky stretch of Little River with rills. I do love plein air, but must admit that my studio does not require a hike to a beautiful spot, it has a fridge for cold drinks and a comfortable chair. Anything I forget to lay out before I began is right there at hand, rather than a half-mile away. There is a nice fan for air exchange and cooling. What’s not to like?
Rocky Little River