“Great Blue” ~ a new watercolor

This great blue heron is one of the thousands of water birds that live in Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina. We found this one perched on a boardwalk that runs out into the salt marsh.

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Great Blue”

Framed Watercolor • 20 x 16″ • $750 SOLD

New Watercolors

I’ve been working on two watercolors recently. I’ve completed one of them: “Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Outer Banks, NC”, 22 x 16″, $700 which includes matting and framing. This the restored Chicamacomico Life Saving Station in Rodanthe NC, on Hatteras Island. Before the Coast Guard, there were life saving stations scattered up and down the Outer Banks, which were staffed by local men who watched for ship wrecks and tried to rescue sailors. This one has been restored and preserves much history of bygone days on the Outer Banks.

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Outer Banks, NC”

And a second is in progress:

Martha K. Moore original artwork
Watercolor in Progress 01

Martha K. Moore original artwork
Watercolor in Progress 02

New 5 x 7″ Gallery Wrap Oil on Canvas

Martha K. Moore original painting
“Mountain Cabin”  •  Gallery Wrap oil on canvas   •   7 x 5″   •  $65 SOLD

My newest painting is an oil on gallery wrap canvas called “Mountain Cabin.” I just love finding these old barns! Getting the texture of the old wood is a challenge I very much enjoy tackling.

Mini Paintings

martha k. moore original paintingsThe holiday season is a busy time at Buffalo Creek Gallery. I have been busy making a number of mini paintings, which are so fun to do! Each of these pieces is 3″ x 4″ and comes with a mini easel to display the original artwork. They are $40 and on sale now at the gallery.

Wishing everyone a very merry holiday and a happy new year, too!

Artisphere 2018, for Watercolors

Good news today … I received confirmation that I have been accepted as a watercolor fine artist for the 2018 Artisphere weekend event in Greenville, SC for May 11-13, 2018. I am really happy! I was selected to show/sell for this event last year, and it was a fantastic weekend. It is a HUGE event that is held in the beautiful and historic downtown area. There is a beautiful river that flows right through the middle of the area, and it just a gorgeous landscape for a downtown area.

Last year, while I obviously needed to man my booth for the weekend, I did the get opportunity do a bit of walking around the festival, and I was so impressed with the quality of artists that are included in this event. Not only were there incredibly talented individuals from all over the US, but there were also spectacular demonstrations that included woodworking and blacksmithing.

Because I was accepted as a watercolor artist, that means I am restricted to showing and selling that media exclusively (my oil painting entry was not accepted). So my focus for the start of 2018 is to work on more watercolor paintings. This will be an exciting endeavor!

“Smoky Mountain National Park” has Sold

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Smoky Mountain National Park”

Following the recent Kings Mountain, NC “Gateways to the South” show, I have learned today that this painting has sold. Exciting news! I’m so pleased that this piece will be going to a good home.

“Sunflowers II” is on Tour

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Sunflowers II”

I am thrilled to learn that my watercolor “Sunflowers II” is going to go on tour with the NC Watercolor Society’s traveling exhibit. The schedule for showing is:

Florence Thomas Art School
10 S. Jefferson Ave.
West Jefferson, NC 28694
Dec. 1—Jan. 13
336-846-3827
Mon-Sat—10-5Theatre Art Gallery
220E. Commerce
High Point, NC 27260
336-887-2137
Jan. 26-Mar. 29
Tues.-Fri.—12-5Smith Civic Center
2175 Main St.
Lexington, NC 27292
April 15-May 19
336-249-7875
Tues.-Sat.—10-5

Southwestern Adventure

We have just returned from a 2-week adventure out to Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas. The area of this park include the Chisos mountain range and a large swath of the Chihuahuan Desert. At night the sky was magnificent including shooting stars that took my breath away. Bob captured many photos, and I am looking forward to creating new paintings inspired from the desert beauty!

The absolute best thing we did was the tour of the McDonald Observatory.  It started with a talk by one of the scientists there about the sun and stars and space in general, and then he took us on a tour of both the giant telescopes.  With the older one, we got to see how it moves and how they open the dome for observation.  Nobody actually looks through the telescopes physically any more—it’s all done through computer images from the telescopes.  Was just fascinating. This was probably one of the best trips we’ve ever enjoyed!

NC Watercolor Society Award

Exciting news today! We learned that my watercolor, “Sunflowers II” won the Western Region award. This framed watercolor is 21 x 12″ and available for sale for $450. It will be on exhibit in the NC Watercolor exhibit at Greensboro College in Greensboro October 15 through November 11, 2017.

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Sunflowers II”

We also learned that “Cypress Knees, ” which is currently on exhibit  at The Gateways to the South Exhibit at the Southern Arts Society in Kings Mountain, NC (Oct. 10–Nov. 10) was awarded first Honorable Mention.

Martha K. Moore original artwork
“Cypress Knees”

Valle Crucis Fair

We enjoyed a beautiful Valle Country Fair this fall! We had a successful apple butter making on Thursday and Friday with LOTS of stirring as the “butter” cooked down over the open fire. And the weather was perfection on Saturday for the great turnout of visitors for the fair.

Valle Crucis Country Fair
Valle Crucis Country Fair 2017