Sue - National Military Spouse Network

Sue

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Sue Hoppin is the founder of the NMSN, National Military Spouse Network.  It is a networking and professional development organization supporting military spouses who balance their own goals and ambitions with the military lifestyle.  

I met Sue recently through our mutual facebook friend, Carrie Roets Waller.  Carrie is an accomplished and award winning watercolorist.  Sue is organizing the third annual National Military Spouse Network Summit and this year will feature a Military Spouse's small works exhibit which I will curate.  That is what brought Sue and me together...Carrie and her recommendation that I curate this show with her.  I am very excited.

Then I met Sue in person and found out that she is a bundle of energy, ideas, and she can make things happen.  So the first Annual NMSN art show will be during the Summit on October 19th at the Mary Gates Learning Center in Old Town Alexandria.  It is going to be a great show and a great networking event.  

After meeting Sue and hearing all her wonderful ideas I was compelled to try and capture that spirit on canvas.  Sue has a shock of long, thick, black tresses that are absolutely gorgeous.  I loved painting this one...I am pleased to say that she loves the painting also.  

So I continue...painting smiles AND it counts as a Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 entry!!! Yayyy...winners all around.

Carrie Waller is next up - 30 paintings 30 days...artist series

Carrie Roets-Waller

8 x 6

Oil on Raymar Panel

Carrie is an amazing watercolorist.  She paints still life pieces using glass bottles and crystal glasses in her compositions.  She is able to capture light masterfully. Her work is not to be missed.  Visit her blog to see what she is up to.  She often posts works in progress and it is fascinating to follow her as she brings the painting to life.  

When I first wrote to Carrie to ask if I could paint her "mug" I thought I was asking for a picture  of her face to paint from...Carrie read it as a coffee mug and sent this picture!!!  When I better explained what I was looking for she laughed and said "that is the difference between a still life artist and a portrait artist!"  

Leslie Saeta's challenge is going strong.  check out her blog to see all the beautiful paintings.