"I celebrate painting"... from "Welliver"

When I applied to have a show at This Century Art Gallery, I was looking for a challenge to push me with my art. Low and behold I was accepted and so for the past year I have had this wonderful excuse to spend a lot of time painting. I have always been eclectic with my work and if it shows it's part of this desire to express the joy and excitement of working as an artist, using my whole self to make choices that are confined to the small area of a canvas but permit me almost complete freedom.

"I celebrate nature. I am Nature"... from "Welliver"

The tree filled area around my home, the parks and waterways and beauty of Virginia has been a constant inspiration. But more specifically, it is the line, the patterns and colors of nature and my emotional response is what I am working to capture.

"I celebrate myself."... from "Welliver"

As a child I liked to draw and make things. I continued my art interest in College and received a Bachelor degree in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. My first position was in Mathews County Virginia as an elementary art teacher. This was followed by work as an Illustrator at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and then to many enjoyable years at William & Mary as their publication designer. Along the way, my husband Larry has been a constant support who has worked hard so that I could stay home and care for our three boys and eventually to take more time for art. My mother gave me the art Spirit and my Father the predilection to patience and craft. And my art friends, especially the late Barclay Sheaks group and now the Ann Armstrong Class have been a great source of support, friendship and learning. Currently, I am teaching workshops and classes with This Century Gallery. I am also a participating artist with the New Town Art Gallery and will soon be showing at Gloucester Arts on Main. In October I will be in An Occasion for the Arts in Williamsburg. I have received numerous recognitions and awards and my work can be found in collections around the country. Thank you to This Century Gallery for this opportunity and to you for viewing my work. I would love to hear from you. The work here will soon be posted on my website: www.juneskalakartspan.com

June Skalak