"Springtime in Charleston" A plein air painting of the Joseph Verre House

A bright red Japanese maple and intertwining vines of pink roses and confederate jasmine blooming on the garden gate of the Joseph Verre House were the inspiration for this plein air (on location) painting .

Charleston's historic colonial homes are graced with some of the loveliest, intimate garden spaces in the country. While they are often planted to be enjoyed all year long, it is in the spring that they outdo themselves with colorful blooms.

"Springtime in Charleston"
Plein air oil on panel
Size: 11" x 14"
Sold

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation" an oil painting of a Lowcountry Plantation by Katherine Schneider

"Timeless Elegance - Magnolia Plantation"

Oil on panel painting by Katherine Schneider

 11"x14" 

$450.00

This time of year the world famous collection of camellias is in full bloom at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens along the banks of the Ashley River near Charleston, SC. Painting on the grounds of the Manor house is a pleasure anytime of year, but even more now when the weather is mild and the amazing variety of  blooming camellias add bright bursts of color to the muted tones of  the winter garden.

A White Ribbon Tribute to Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons

Master Blacksmith/Artisan Mr. Philip Simmons' passing at age 97 has resulted in plans to honor his long and productive life in the SC Lowcountry. For many years Charleston has proudly recognized the talents of this native son who has spent a lifetime creating beautiful ironwork for local homes and gardens.
In his honor, the city is hanging white ribbons on all of Mr. Simmons public ironworks.

While Mr. Simmons's beautiful downtown gates and decorative public ironwork are widely known, he also produced many smaller, less recognized works such as the wrought iron handrails designed for "Afterglow", the Mt. Pleasant home of the Muschick family.

When asked if he would accept a modest project at the home, Mr. Simmons replied to Mrs. Rose Muschick that "no project is too small". "That's what I do" was his cheerful reply.
The resulting pairs of graceful wrought iron handrails have been beautiful additions to this home and garden for many years.

In his honor at his passing, the family has hung white ribbons on these two pair of smaller but greatly admired and appreciated wrought iron handrails designed and installed by Mr. Simmons and his apprentice.

He will live on in the memory of those who admire him and his distinctive artwork in iron.

"Easter Vigil" A Charcoal Drawing of a Biblical Garden Statue

I sketched in the Biblical Garden at Magnolia Plantation on the day after Good Friday, surrounded by plants that are mentioned in the Bible. This small formal garden is a hidden gem tucked into one of the largest Romantic Gardens in the country. It's the second year I've painted here on the Saturday after Good Friday.

"Easter Vigil" is a charcoal drawing of a statue of Mary standing in the center of 12 small square flower beds designed to form the shape of a cross. The 12 flower beds are symbolic of the 12 Disciples of Christ.

The deep shadows and sharp contrasts in my charcoal drawing make me think of Mary as she watched and prayed on that dark day before The Resurrection.

"Easter Vigil"
Charcoal, pastel and conte drawing on paper
Dimensions: 14"x 10.5"

The International Camellia Society "Camellia of the Month", C. japonica "Princess" (?) April 2009

The subject of my painting "Camellia in the Rain" is a bloom from a bush highlighted as "Camellia of the Month" by the International Camellia Society (ICS) for April 2009.

The International Camellia Society is a non-profit organization with over 2,000 members worldwide. It is the official registrar for the genus Camellia and maintains the International Camellia Register in addition to publishing the yearly "International Camellia Journal ".

On the Society's website @ http://www.camellia-ics.org is a photograph of the camellia and information about the plant's recent history in the Charleston garden of Mrs. Rose Muschick.

As with many varieties of older heritage camellias, the ancestry of this plant is an open question. Information about the plant from camellia growers, horticulturists, or flora-culturalists is welcomed.

Charleston White Point Gardens Renovations

The Bandstand at White Point Gardens is one of the most recognized structures in Charleston. Its charming setting among graceful live oaks near Charleston Harbor makes it a frequent subject of photo's and painting's of Historic Charleston.
Yesterday (3.3.09), the City of Charleston announced an $885,000 project to improve White Point Gardens which includes plans to renovate and restore the 102 yr. old bandstand. A $273,500 contract will include repairs to the 1907 structure's brickwork and will lower the base from its present 6 ft. elevation to the original 3 ft.

I'm posting my recent ink drawing of the bandstand with its 6 foot tall platform rising from ground. I'll need to redraw the structure in the future when the base of the bandstand is lowered 3 feet.

Although it will be nice to see the restoration, I wonder if the bandstand will look quite as grand or provide as nice a view when it's lowered 3 feet to the ground.

Hopefully the White Point Garden renovation plan can be modified to include the long overdue placement of a plaque to identify the Charleston Children's Fountain (click here for article) and its beloved "Little Dancer" bronze statue by Charleston sculptor Willard N. Hirsch.

Camellias in a Charleston Garden

Winter is the time for Camellias to bloom in Lowcountry gardens. The Coastal Carolina Camellia Society (2009 Show) says there are now over 20,000 named varieties of Camellias with more being introduced every year. With so many new varieties available to gardeners, the older varieties-referred to as heritage or ancient camellias are sometimes overshadowed by the newcomers.

For over 50 years my mother, Rose N. Muschick has diligently collected and cared for an ever growing collection of camellias in her Lowcountry garden. Many of her camellias were gifts from friends who have long since passed away.

I was in her garden today painting some of the many varieties currently in bloom. Here's a painting of a "Camellia in the Rain" that I painted from a flower on a bush that is one of her older, "historical" varieties of camellias. I think the variety was named "Princess".
I've asked several camellia growers if this is the correct name for the variety but they are unsure due to it's age. These camellias look as if they have a gold "crown" rising from the center of the bloom.

A few of her camellia bushes have so many blooms the branches can hardly hold them.
What a cheerful sight in the middle of winter.
I hope these photos of camellias from her winter garden brighten your day. Cheers!

"Garden Bridge in Winter" A New Painting by Katherine M Schneider

A long white bridge crossing the dark waters of a cypress pond is a favorite view of visitors to Magnolia Gardens. The graceful curves of the bridge contrast with the straight trunks of cypress trees reflected in the dark water. It's a memorable sight.

The vista is often painted with brightly colored azaleas in the Spring. It's rarely painted when the rich colors of Autumn reflect in the bright winter light on the pond, as I have here.

The painting is one of six artworks I have entered in the 2009 Winter Garden Festival Art Show at Magnolia Gardens Jan. 24 - Feb. 28th. The Plantation Gallery Gift Shop is located on the ground level of the Manor House.



"Garden Bridge in Winter"
Mixed Media/Oil
Framed size: 17"x 20"
Price: $450.00

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Winter Festival 2009 - Art Show Opening Reception

The paintings were hung, tea was served, and plein air artists painted at the opening of the 2009 Magnolia Gardens Winter Festival.
Here's an ink drawing I sketched today of the entrance to the Plantation Gift Shop and Gallery. Covered by the large second story porch, the entrance to the Gift Shop and Gallery is a dry spot to sketch on a rainy day.

Artists painted throughout the gardens, including the lawn in front of the Plantation House.
At 6:00 pm Charleston Artist Guild (CAG) member, Dab (www.Dabism.com)was still painting in the misting rain. He said it takes about an hour to set up his elaborate plein air equipment, but then he is ready to paint in any weather.

The Art Gallery is full of exciting new artwork by members of the Chas. Artist Guild who will be at the Gardens painting tomorrow and throughout the Winter Festival, January 23 - Feb.28th. New paintings(Click here) will continue to be added to the show as they are created by the artists.

If you're in the area, come out to Magnolia Gardens to see the beautiful winter blooming camellias and the fresh artwork in the Plantation Gallery Gift Shop.

Magnolia Gardens Winter Festival 2009 - Plein Air Drawing and Painting

I was back out at Magnolia Plantation this afternoon drawing and painting the path to the Manor House in preparation for upcoming Art Shows during the Winter Garden Festival 2009.

This year, there will be two exhibits during the festival. Original artwork created this year in the Winter Garden will be showcased in the Art Gallery at the Manor House Gift Shop. On Sat. Jan. 24, there will be Afternoon Tea from 1-5 pm to meet the artists and see the new artwork. The artwork will remain in the gallery until March 31. (See gallery here.)

The second show will be a Juried Exhibition and sale in the Carriage House at Magnolia Gardens entitled "The Girl with the Gold Earring". Magnolia Plantation is sponsoring this exhibit to highlight a recently found gold artifact at an archeological dig on the plantation. This show will be on display from Feb. 2 - Feb. 19, 2009.

Weather permitting, I will be painting en plein air in the gardens with painters from The Charleston Artist Guild and The Charleston Out Door Painters Asso. Jan. 24, 2009.

If you're in the area, stop by and see the beautiful winter blooming camellias in the garden and the new original artwork in the two Winter Festival Art Shows.

Slave Cabin Row Restoration Project at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens 2008

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has completed restoration work on 5 slave cabins at "Slave Cabin Row".
On a recent plein air painting trip, I was given a tour of the site by Kevin Meek, owner of Rock Creek Craftsmen. His company has restored the cabins at Magnolia to show the evolving story of enslaved Africans and later freedman living in the structures from the Colonial period up to recent history (1969). Click here for more news coverage of the project.

Each of the cabins on Slave Cabin Row has been restored to demonstrate the building materials and living conditions of a different historical period.

Magnolia Plantation is the only Lowcountry Historical site that has cabins showing the changing conditions of the workers and buildings as life on the plantation changed over time.
Sean Connolly, Project Manager and Kevin Meek discuss work at two of the "older" period cabins.

Connolly, Meek, and Project Technician Kate Fowler are pictured by the Leach Family cabin. Members of the Leach family (click here for photo's of the Leach family) lived in this cabin until 1969. The oral history from members of the Leach family who are still working at Magnolia Plantation will be included in the historical interpretation of the site.
At this time the cabins are unfurnished, but the project includes plans to add historic objects to at least one of the buildings.

I, along with other exhibiting members of the Charleston Artist Guild, have been invited to create new paintings of the winter garden to exhibit during the 2009 Winter Garden Festival in the Plantation Gallery and Gift Shop.

The restoration project unearthed an artifact of particular interest. A handcrafted 14 caret gold object about the size of a cuff link was found in an area where the oldest cabins once existed.
The artifact may have had various uses, possibly as an earring. The owner of the gold artifact is a mystery as is it's origin.

Here are photos of my mortar and pestle and spinning wheel (circa 1800) in the cabin. Both are similar to those which would have been used on the plantation in the Colonial Era.


I think they add an interesting element to the story about the lives of the people who lived on Slave Cabin Row at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. For information about the restoration work of former slave cabins at Friendfield Village click here.

A New Drawing of Angel Oak by Charleston Artist Katherine M. Schneider

The light is softer and the air is sweeter under the sheltering branches of the Angel Oak.
What a wonderful way to spend a fall morning in the Lowcountry.
Today's charcoal and conte drawing of Angel Oak is a welcome change from my plein air painting in oils.
Drawing on location with charcoal and other dry media is a looser, more direct artistic treatment of a subject which helps keep my oil paintings fresh and expressive.
I also enjoy the unique beauty and expressiveness of the artist's "mark making" evident in a Fine Art Drawing.

"The Angel Oak"
Charcoal and Conte on paper
Drawing size: 10.5" x 14"

Here's a link to more of my Live Oak drawings and paintings.


The woods along Angel Oak Rd. are full of red survey markers signaling the soon to be cleared woodlands surrounding Angel Oak Park to make way for high density housing and commercial development.

Alligator in the Sun -A New Painting by Charleston Artist Katherine M Schneider

"Beauty and the Beast"- A sunning alligator in a garden pond
Oil
Image size: 11" x 14"
Price: Sold Thank you.


The painting "Beauty and the Beast" shows an alligator relaxing in a warm, sunny spot by a statue of a young girl at a Magnolia Gardens pond.

Today's news story of two teenagers illegally binding and abducting an alligator with nylon rope and duct tape, made me want to paint an alligator in a natural setting.

With more and more of their habitat being destroyed for new development, alligators are more frequently being forced to seek new territory - often to their peril.

Thankfully, here in the Lowcountry there are still areas where these prehistoric survivors can live in the wild unharmed.

When seen from a respectful distance, there's an undeniable fascination and beauty to these wild creatures that we often mistreat out of fear.

Flowers from a Charleston Garden for Rose N. Muschick

Happy Mother's Day.




My mother likes flowers fresh from her garden.

Since she's had a fall and can't get out, I'm posting photo's of flowers from her garden for her to enjoy on Mother's Day.



Here's a picture of mom (Rose N. Muschick) in better health, enjoying the award winning camellias in her garden at our home place "Afterglow".













Lyre Leaf sage- Mom's favorite wild flower.








Garden angel with a Princess camellia blossom.





















It's good to stop and smell the flowers.






The "Hush Boy" bird bath with colorful pansies and camellias.













And one last camellia in the garden by a spreading palmetto frond.

Happy Mother's Day!