Thyme Halo Meadowlark

Just picked up my paintings from the Circular Church. Every experience is a learning experience, if you want it to be. (I like knowledge so it was a good one.) The Ortolan Bunting, Pear, and Tree of Wisdom will be going to Plum Elements this week.

Above is another new painting, Thyme Halo Meadowlark, which will also be available at Plum Elements.

I'll be traveling to Pennsylvania to visit family and friends—maybe something will inspire me for new work when I return!

Tree of Wisdom
Ortolan and Fig

I was asked to put artwork in a show here in downtown Charleston at the Circular Church;
She Shall Be Called Woman, is centered around an installation in the church sanctuary of works created by seven artists reflecting on the role of woman in religion/faith.

Since I am not a religious person at all, it was a challenge. Decided to go the route of human existence and the explanation of it through mythology...or at least how we've tried via creation of metaphors and parables to make sense of life.
Ultimately it was interesting reading all about symbolism of foods (especially fruits and vegetables) and the rituals correlating with them through the ages—from ancient celtic/gaul goddess stories to modern western religious traditions (which are much more male dominated). There are a few tidbits on my website. I'll post more at some point. There are so many to digest and pick through to share.
Meanwhile a great read is, In the Devil's Garden, I recommend it!

Studio Show This Saturday!

Saturday July 18th, our studio at 253a St. Philip Street is having a grand all lady artists (and Sully) art extravaganza! Come over 5 - 10p.m to check it out!

New ABSTRACTS (waterways)

I have never been able to do “just one thing.”  That has been evident  if you look at my full resume...i.e. research/writing for a new bio-fertilizer company, fabric studio assistant, antique art print seller, waitress.  

The same is true for my paintings, they go from more realistic representational to completely abstract.

I love learning and going from one theme to another keeps me balanced.

Underlying concerns/thoughts/passion of it all is the environment and humans’ relationship (not such a good one) with it.  

These abstracts come from meditations on our waterways, what we dump into them from mountains to ocean, and how they are all connected. 

Dumbfounded

Recently I was asked to put paintings up in a restaurant as part of a neighborhood show called, "Evolution." These two apple paintings were included and got enough patron complaints, mainly that they "looked too much like a vagina or vulva" that they had to be taken down.

For one it is ironic the art show was called "Evolution".
Two, they are seriously APPLES.

Are people really that afraid of their own imaginations??????

Newest Edition

Yellow-breasted Vireo is the newest painting added to the Plum Elements collection.

Also I have some artwork at Theatre 99 during Piccolo-Spoleto alongside Nathan Durfee,
Johnny Pundt, and Trey Jaskiewicz.

Go look at some art! It'll make you feel good!

WHAT SHIMKO IS SHOWING WHERE? part one: PLUM

Blue Jay Plum Sky,  Orange Sky Canopy, Fish Crow Okra Snow, and Basil Chickadee are a few of the paintings on view at Plum Elements during Piccolo Spoleto!  Plum Elements is located on lower King Street (161 1/2) a little north of Queen Street.  Pop in and have a look!