Lives in: Silver Spring, MD

Website: www.graysonstudios.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraysonStudios/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graysonstudios/

Media and subjects:  Printmaking and painting (oil on panel)

Why you joined MAA: To be in community with other artists.

Something fun about you:  I am an avid reader, hiker, and biker (hybrid bike).

Artist Biography: Deborah Grayson makes drawings, paintings, sculpture and prints that draw on magic, myth, and memory to create a contemporary picture of the real and imagined worlds of women's lives.  Grayson’s creative process embraces deconstruction as part of creation. She is intrigued by the process of bringing together seemingly disparate materials – old, new and found  – to build her bodies of work.  

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, Grayson completed a BA at the University of Maryland, College Park and an MA and PhD at Michigan State University.  In addition to her studio work Deborah Grayson is an independent scholar and much sought after workshop facilitator and speaker.

By Judith Levine

On February 13, 2020, John MacArthur and I attended Maryland Arts Day in Annapolis. Sponsored by Maryland Citizens for the Arts, the event was attended by people from all over the state. Many were organizers and administrators; fewer were artists. We split up and began speaking with fellow attendees and came home with a lot of new contacts. All were united in the need to see an increase in funding for the arts, gratitude for the current Maryland administration’s support and concern for lack of Federal support.

There was a slew of legislators speaking as expected, many who have been strong backers of funding for the arts, especially in education. The speakers who most impressed the audience though were Yumi Hogan and Joyce J. Scott. Yes, Hogan as in Larry. Yumi Hogan (shown at right) is the wife of the current governor and an exceptionally talented painter. She spoke most eloquently about the need for education AND support for working artists.

Then came Joyce Scott (who I'm shown with in the photo below). Scott’s work speaks for itself over her long and well-known career. But many don’t know that Scott is also a very gifted—and funny—verbal storyteller. She left all of us rolling on the floor with her stories, but then she had us feeling tears as she spoke of her ancestors who were slaves. This multi-talented artist used her time to take us through her personal story and that of her family, many of whom are just as talented.

After the formal speeches, we split up to meet with our legislators. Montgomery County has its own chamber, and we heard from our State Senator Nancy King. She has personally gotten many arts funding bills written and passed. I was invited to contact her office to continue our conversation. I also had the opportunity to touch base with legislator Kirill Reznik. Kirill is an immigrant, born in Ukraine; Nancy happens to be part of the LGBT+ community. Both understand what it means to be part of groups with specific needs and concerns. 

John--who sketched the proceedings, shown below--and I hope to use the contacts we made to help the Montgomery Art Association grow and contribute to our goals of supporting each other as artists. I do urge our members to think about having MAA join this vigorous supporter of the arts in Maryland. Wheaton Arts Parade, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and BlackRock Center for the Arts are just three among many county groups who are members. And I personally look forward to getting to represent us again next year.

MAA member Maria Elena Sayan received the Viewers Choice Award at the MAA Members Show & Sale at Oasis Gallery in Bethesda for her still life Summer Zinnias and Herbal Tea.

More than 80 guests at our January 25 opening reception voted for their favorite works from among the 65 pieces in the show. Shirley Crawley took second place, and Helen Wood was third place.In total, 65 MAA members are in the show, and many of them attended the reception, each sharing thoughts about what inspired them to make their pieces. 

The show runs until April 10. You can visit Monday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm. 

Lives in: Germantown, MD 

Website: http://deborahwalmer.com

Social Media: Instagram: @deborah_walmer; Facebook:

http://facebook.com/deborahlwalmer

Media and subjects:  Oil on canvas

Why you joined MAA: To socialize with and support other artists.

Something fun about you: Along with painting, dance comes in a close second. As far back as I can remember, I have danced.  If there is music on, you will see me swaying to it.  I have been a member of three dance companies over the years and even traveled to West Africa to study dance.

Artist Biography: I grew up in the Philadelphia, PA area and majored in Fine Art at Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C.  Although I am a Philly girl, I consider myself a Washingtonian since I have lived in the DC area for over 26 years.  I started drawing at 1½ years old.  Unfortunately, it was all over my aunt's door during a sleepover. That was my last sleepover.  (Editors Note:  Fortunately it was not her last artwork.)

After college I didn't really paint that much. I was uninspired. After my divorce, three years ago, I realized that something was missing. I needed to paint. I now know I cannot go a day without painting.  Besides my two teens, painting has made me happier than anything I have ever known.

My second love—dance has stayed with me over the years.  Although I no longer dance as part of a dance company, I stay involved in the dance world by creating costumes for CityDance School and Conservatory at Strathmore in North Bethesda. I merged my two loves of dance and painting and created a dance series of paintings. When I watch the conservatory dancers, I am transported back onto stage. I want the viewer of my art to see the movement of dance and feel the emotion as if they are dancing.

During my first art exhibit this last summer, the paintings were displayed while the dancers performed the repertoire that is depicted in the paintings. I wanted the audience to experience the emotion and story they tell through movement in my paintings.  One of my paintings, Girl On Fire, depicts an African dancer. She is wearing the costume I made for that dance repertoire.

My paintings have been described as paper unfolded or stained glass. You can see the influence of Picasso, Braque, Dali, and Kahlo in the paintings.   I recently expanded into Abstract works. These abstract paintings are a mix of textures that include oil paint, cray-pas, shells and fabric woven together with the techniques of the cubism genre. My friends call the style Debism.

Lives in: Bethesda

Website: galemarcus.crevado.com

Media and subjects: Oil painting of all kinds. I like to have an animal somewhere in the picture.

Why you joined MAA: I joined MAA as a way to show my work and meet other artists.

Something fun about you: I am a connoisseur of good food, fine wine and EBAY.

Artist biography:  I have always loved to paint.  In high school, many years ago, I decided that oil painting was my calling, so my father made an easel for me and sent me off to college as an art major. My practical self soon realized that as an artist it was going to very difficult to support myself with my art, so I changed my major and made a career in television--always knowing that at some point I would re-engage in my art.  I have since retired and live just down the street from the Yellow Barn Studio at Glen Echo, so I have pulled out that old easel and am taking classes and painting full time.  In the past year, I have started showing my work in both juried and open shows; and recently I was awarded second place in oils in the Rockville Art League’s Winter Juried Show.  My interest is primarily in color with a touch of Impressionism, and ideally I like a painting to tell a story.  

Sixty-five members of the Montgomery Art Association are showing works for three months at the Oasis Gallery in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

MAA's third annual member show & sale runs January 13-April 10.

A reception is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 from 2-3:30 pm and is open to the public. During the reception, visitors will be asked to vote for a Viewers Choice Award. The winner will receive a gift certificate good for a free painting workshop offered by Walt Bartman of the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery.

The Oasis Gallery is in the second-floor Macy’s Home Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall, 7125 Democracy Boulevard.

Directions to Oasis from the mall's Garage A: Follow the aisle to the end and turn left. Drive two aisles to your left to park near Macy’s Home Store entrance. Pass through elevator lobby and see entrance on left. From inside the mall: Enter Macy’s Home Store, turn left toward Linen Department. Go through Linens and follow signs for the Exit/Parking Garage. At the inner lobby, enter OASIS straight ahead.

Shown (clockwise from top left): Resting in Quiet Waters (watercolor) by Angela Lacy, Winter Scene (pastel) by Marcia Billig, Watching the Tide Come In (oil) by Jeanne Powell and Perchance, to Dream (#3) (acrylic) by Gordon Lyon.

Download the 2020 Oasis Show flyer

Name: Jack Hammond

Lives in: I'm a proud, 60-year resident of Takoma Park.

Media and subjects: I've worked in pastels, water colors, oils, acrylics, and more; my subjects are varied.

Why you joined MAA: I'm drawn to the artistic communion offered by the organization, as well as the opportunity to show my work.

Something fun about you: Back in the day, my future wife, Vaughn, was seeking a local daytime art class and stopped in Lipman's Art Shop (now Plaza Artist Materials) to inquire. Shirley Lipman seized the opportunity to sign Vaughn up for my Saturday morning class. Trick was, the class was for six- to ten-year-old children. The rest is history!

Artist Biography: University of Maryland - Fine Arts/Practical Arts; US Navy Ships' Artist; "Niche" Period 1960-1980; Vaughn and I opened the art gallery -- Gallery on the Park -- 1970-1980; prolific in a present day renaissance with new vision after two cataract surgeries.

Shown, left to right: Bend in the Road, Morning Pier and Cataract by Jack Hammond.

With MAA member Martina Sestakova
Artist, teacher, and founder/owner of RADOST

Many artworks have been created about the self.  In this workshop at the Oasis Gallery--set up in conjunction with MAA's third annual Oasis Gallery art show--you will join teaching artist Martina Sestakova in an exploration of your senses and what makes you a unique self. 

You will take a look at artists such as Sonia Delaunay and Paul Klee while you work in watercolors to create a visual capture of yourself.  No experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided.

Oasis Gallery

Friday, February 7, 2020
1-2:30 pm
Fee: $25 

To register, visit https://www3.oasisnet.org/Washington-DC/Classes

By Jennifer Kahn Barlow

Paula Zeller, MAA's 2019 winner of the prestigious Bertha Clum prize for her piece Frankly Pizza Magic, is remarkable, as is her painting. If you did not get a chance to see this phenomenal art at this year’s Paint the Town Labor Day Show, it depicts a Frankly Pizza baker attentivity tending to his pizzas. The warm glow of the oak fire brick oven contrasts the cool kitchen, making this painting pop.

Paula captured a moment in time but gave us a glimpse of something more.

Frankly Pizza in Kensington is a favorite of Paula and her family. Besides the amazing food, Paula said she loves to go there to watch the hustle and bustle of all the people within the restaurant.  With Frankly Pizza Magic, she wanted to show the pizza making process; its grace, rhythm, and focused energy. The pizza baker was really connecting with his surroundings and the job that was in front of him. 

“Frank and I we were super happy for Paula and her win!" said Kate, one of the pizza restaurant's co-owners. "We think the painting is beautiful and so lifelike! We were honored to be included as the subject of her piece. We're proud to be a Kensington destination!”

Paula (center, in gray top) also won a prize in the Portrait category at the Paint the Town Labor Day Show. Photo by Jennifer Kahn Barlow

Paula is now in her last year at the Compass Atelier’s Master Artist Program in Rockville. Her thesis, which will be on exhibition in Spring 2020, focuses on connections. These connections can be between people, people and certain situations, or even people and things that are important to them. 

Paula works from photos and carries her camera wherever she goes, allowing herself to be ready to capture an inspiring connection. Paula’s currently working on a scene of some children at Baltimore’s HonFest dressed in the festival’s attire with big hair, cat eye glasses, and Hawaiian shirts. 

Paula said the “shared joy” of that particular moment, especially in her hometown of Baltimore, makes her happy every time she works on the painting.

Paula being interviewed by an NBC Washington Channel 4 reporter at the Labor Day Show. Photo by Elissa Poma

Paula’s love for oil painting grew as a child and carried her through her teenage years in Baltimore. Her career path, however, led her toward working with children with disabilities and writing/editing health information. Upon retirement, Paula felt something was missing, which led her back to her paint brush and eventually The Compass Atelier program. Paula loves the flow of painting, especially when she is immersed in her artistic process. 

Paula lives in Gaithersburg and works from her home studio, while also tutoring children and adults. 

Paula is an artist that is one to watch!  We look forward to seeing more amazing captured connections by her in the future.

Watch a video interview with Paula
See more of Paula's art

Congratulations to the award winners of the 2019 Paint the Town Labor Day Show:

Kensington Category

First Place (The Bertha Clum Award):  Paula Zeller, Frankly Pizza Magic
Second Place: Paola Luther, Almost Home
Third Place: Jennifer Beaudet, Start at Noyes
Honorable Mention: Eve Sandmeyer, Kensington Corners
Honorable Mention: Robert LeMar, Kensington@Night
Honorable Mention: Dianne Stewart, Tunnel’s End
Honorable Mention: Lis Zadravec, The Happy Place
Honorable Mention: Alden Schofield, Kensington Grapes
Honorable Mention: Lisa Denison, Broken Americana

Landscape

First Place: Alden Schofield, Misty Morn
Second Place: Frankie Lydon, Spring: Virginia Woods
Third Place: Meredith Way Morris, “Montevideo Road
Honorable Mention: Carol Starr, T-rusty Skiff
Honorable Mention: Debbie Miller, Sunset Moment
Honorable Mention: Ricky Sears, Following Light
Honorable Mention: Jennifer Beaudet, Midtown Possibilities
Honorable Mention: Eve Sandmeyer, Teahouse Reflections

Portrait, People and Animals

First Place: Dora Patin, Symbiosis
Second Place: Paula Zeller, Holding it Together
Third Place: Evan Goldman, Old Man
Honorable Mention: Galina Kolosovskaya, Good Girl
Honorable Mention: Ting Rao, Sunflower Field
Honorable Mention: Karen Lantner, America the Beautiful

Still Life

First Place: Tim Weedlun, Tangelo Cocktail
Second Place: Ellen Yahuda, High Pressure
Third Place: Paola Luther, Pure Love
Honorable Mention: Galina Kolosovskaya, Still Life with Pumpkin Flowers
Honorable Mention: Jennifer Barlow, The Mighty Avocado
Honorable Mention: Sandra Schraibman, Sunny Spot

Abstract

First Place: Terry Pellmar, The Outing
Second Place: Elissa Leibowitz Poma, Antes de la Tormenta
Third Place: Paula Eiblum, Is This What Heaven Looks Like?
Honorable Mention: Gail Neal, Marine Dragons of Tasmania
Honorable Mention: Pauline Rakis, Journey
Honorable Mention: Sandra Edmonson, Deserted Way

3D Sculpture

First Place: Iris Grundler, Vase with Japanese Maple Leaves
Second Place: Sandra Perez-Ramos, Mangrove
Third Place: James Vissari, Morality

Plein Air Competition

First Place: Rajendra KC, Kensington Farmers' Market
Second Place: Leonardo Ramos, Front Yard
Third Place: Laurie Basham, Come In, We're Open
Honorable Mention: Nicole Gordon, House on Carroll Fawcett Street
Honorable Mention: Jeanne Powell, A Navy House
Honorable Mention: Ann Schaefer, Drumm Avenue Geometry