Art Prize in Grand Rapids

24x20 "Flopsy" in progress ©St.Hilaire Nelson

24x20 "Flopsy" beginning stages with acrylic stamping ©St.Hilaire Nelson

I am officially working on a few pieces for Art Prize with the famed Kimberly Kelly Santini, artist and genius. This week I started working on my bunny "Flopsy" based on a reference photo provided by Heather Holmes and her husband Tony.

24x20 "Flopsy" beginning stages with InkTense pencil ©St.Hilaire Nelson

I had the pleasure of meeting Heather and Tony at the Grand Bohemian Gallery when they came down to watch me work at Jazz Brunch this past Sunday morning. They shared with me their story on how they ended up with their furry friend, who is litter box trained by the way!

You can follow the progress of Flopsy on my FB studio fan page as well as the story of Art Prize in Grand Rapids, Michigan as it unfolds.

Cherie's Progress

Cherie in the driveway, headed for the van

It's been a couple of weeks since I made the trip down the Florida Turnpike to visit Cherie, but the fun we had is still making me smile. Thanks to the many donations to her website, Cherie now has a wheelchair accessible van!

Cherie in the new van!

We had a ball, for the first time in two years, I was able to go OUT to dinner with Cherie riding in her own chariot. We had dinner beach side and Cherie even had a drink!

Me corrupting Cherie with gin and tonic!

She's so appreciative of all the notes and cards she has received from so many of YOU, my followers and fellow artists, that she has asked me to post a "thank you" here and to let you know that eventually she's going to do a short video to the same effect.

Us trying to keep our eyes open for the photo

Just a little while ago Ellen Lindner, a fabric collage artist and friend of mine was shopping in Vero Beach and ran into Cherie out and about at Homegoods! She immediately recognized her from my blog and went over to say hello.

Cherie emailed me and thanked me for making her into a celebrity.
That kid has the best attitude in the world. :)

Cherie's Progress

Yours Truly (left) with Cherie in Spain, 1985

How about that high waist band? OMG

I'm headed to Vero Beach this morning to visit with Cherie. Thanks to donations and the kindness of strangers through her website, Cherie finally has a handicapped accessible van!! Yes, she was able to purchase a used van and I cannot wait to go "out and about" with her. It's been almost two years since her paralyzing car accident and she has been basically house-bound since September 30, 2010.

Cherie's Help Hope Live website has allowed folks to donate tax deductible donations and this is what added up to the purchase of the van.

I'll catch you all up on how much trouble we get into when I return!

Read more of my posts about Cherie here

Cherie's Progress

Cherie at Shepherd Center for Spinal Cord Rehab in Atlanta last winter

It's been a little while since I updated you on Cherie, my childhood friend who suffered a paralysis after flipping over in her vehicle in September, 2010.

Cherie has a brand new website for donations and they are now TAX DEDUCTIBLE! Yahoo!

Thanks to some big time donations, I am also happy to report that she finally has enough finds to purchase a handicapped accessible van. This is HUGE people, this means she can get out of the house. Previously she was at the mercy of public transport, which would only accommodate doctor appointments.

Can you imagine not being able to go out to eat, or to see a movie, or shopping for almost two years? There were a couple of occasions where she did get out. They rented a van and came up here to Orlando for the screening of "Defining Beauty" and we actually had dinner.

But having her own van is going to allow her something else.... She's agreed to head up the paralysis support group in her community and now can attend regular meetings. Wow, go Cherie, go!!

I'm headed to visit Cherie the end of this month, we plan to get into some trouble now that we have wheels!

If you can donate, even a tax deductible $5, please visit Cherie's webpage on Help Hope Live

ArtPrize Here We Come!

Clarissa Crab / 20x24 / collage on birch panel / 

This has been under wraps for some time but I am excited to finally share that part of my Noah's Ark Series will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall as part of ArtPrize.

If you have never seen or heard of Grand Rapid's ArtPrize, it's a festival that covers 3 square miles of the city. Businesses and property owners within the perimeter are matched with a variety of artists and their art, including indoor and outdoor installations. The festival also features live events such as art walks, demonstrations and presentations. The biggest prize ArtPrize has to offer for me is bringing the Noah's Ark Series to Michigan and exhibiting in conjunction with my friend and fellow artist Kimberly Kelley Santini.

Santini and I will be exhibiting at MVP Metro Club. We plan to give an artist talk on the same night sometime in September. Kim is a Michigan resident and promised to lend this Floridian a sweater.

Stay tuned for more info to come.

Asheville, NC Paper Paintings Workshop

Grand Bohemian Hotel, Biltmore Village, Asheville

Come out and tear paper with me!

in beautiful, artistic, Asheville
June 1/2/3 10am-4pm
Grand Bohemian Hotel

This will be my third year teaching and having a featured art show in the gallery at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville. This boutique 5-star hotel has a unique gallery space that features my work, and some great convention space for tearing and gluing paper. The hotel's Red Stag Grill restaurant will cater lunch, included in the price!


Grand Bohemian Hotel lobby





The first year's class in the gallery


Enjoy your evening exploring Asheville, dining at the Grill, or sitting at the amazing hotel bar.

You may still register for this class, despite online deadlines, as we have a few slots remaining.

click here for more info

Whatever It Takes 

My backyard studio at 5am

I am often asked "how do you do so much?" and I have posted about maximizing my time before here: "That's Just How I Do It"

Today I was inspired by some photos on my iPhone that were all taken at about 5am or midnight. Early to rise, I am either headed to the community pool or painting at 5am every weekday. I like to take advantage of the peace and quiet of this early morning hour. I also paint at night for the same reasons. I make use of this time to get as much done in a day as I possibly can.

Patriot Aquatics Center a few miles from my house

Most people are sleeping when I'm working. My alarm is set for 5am every day. I swim with the Masters Program at the Patriot Aquatics Center M/W/F from 5:30-7am, a great way to start the day! on T/Th I make myself coffee, let the dogs out, and head to the studio to get 2-hours of painting in before I have to make breakfast and pack lunches for my teenagers.

A sketched up and primed work on the easel at night, ready for the next morning


Remember, when I post work in progress on Facebook and it seems like I work soooo fast, that I have been working since before you were awake, or after you went to sleep! That's how I get it all in and make it look like I do it so fast. But sshhhhh, it's our secret.

Crabs in progress around midnight 

Coffee?