Demonstration for the Mountain Brook Art Association

On October 25, 2007, we presented an art talk/oil painting demonstration during the monthly meeting of the Mountain Brook Art Association at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This was a very enjoyable experience for us. Afterwards, the President of the Association, Gayle Hurley, sent us this message: "You both were so dear to come and give such a wonderful program. I spoke to several people later that day and that evening who commented on how enjoyable it was. Marie, you were a great addition with the information on marketing, etc. I would highly recommend you to other groups like ours for an entertaining and informative program."

Who's on First

While we were at Lake Louise, Canada, attending Kevin Macpherson's "En Plein Air Masters Chateau des Arts Mentoring Session" we met the painting Groessers from North Carolina and Nebraska. One night during the session, John and his brother Don entertained everyone with their version of "Who's on First?"--the famous baseball comedy act, made famous by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. We enjoyed getting to know all of the Groessers and hope to one day paint with them again.

Painting Friends in Rhode Island

It is always fun to visit with our good friends, Mimi Sammis and George Walker. Our latest visit was no exception; since we all love art, we enjoyed painting together and discussing our favorite subject. While in Newport, we had lunch with some of Mimi's friends who were visiting from Jacksonville, Florida.

Painting October Scenes in Narragansett and Newport, RI

Our latest trip to the Northeast was, as usual, a very pleasant experience. We enjoyed spending time with painting friends, Mimi Sammis and George Walker. While Tommy painted in Newport, RI, Marie toured the Trinity Church, the oldest Episcopal church in Rhode Island. The congregation was founded in 1698; the present church was built in 1726. Some of the people who have worshipped there include George Washington, Queen Elizabeth II, and many others.

Appalachian Experience

On our way to Rhode Island in October, we stopped to paint the Appalachians at the Hungry Mother State Park near Marion, VA. At the park we were welcomed by a friendly park ranger, Dixie Sheets. We were intrigued by the story of the legend of hungry mother. Legend has it that when Indians raided several settlements along the New River, south of the park, Molly Marley and her small child were among the survivors taken to the raiders' camp. Molly and her child eventually escaped, wandering through the wilderness eating berries. Molly finally collapsed and her child wandered down the creek until she found help. The only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother." When the search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where she had collapsed, they found Molly dead. Today that mountain is Molly's Knob, and the stream, Hungry Mother Creek. When the park was developed in the 1930s, the creek was dammed to form Hungry Mother Lake.