A Blue Moon for New Years 2010

The full moon this New Years Eve is a "rare blue moon".
About once every 20 years there are two full moons in in the month of December, thus the popular term - "Blue Moon".

For some strange reason lost in time, the term blue moon has nothing to do with the actual color of the moon, just it's timing in the night sky.
The next one won't appear until the year 2028.

On the event of this New Years Eve's Blue Moon, I'm posting a plein air painting I painted in the moonlight a while back to bring in the New Year 2010.



"Moonlight on Church St."
Dry media on paper
18" x 12"

"Christmas Treats" A Pastel Painting by Katherine M Schneider

The upcoming holidays are a time of exciting sights, sounds, and tastes some of which I have pictured in my pastel painting "Christmas Treats".

As we start the annual whirl of activity for this time of year, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

"Christmas Treats"
Pastel on paper
8"x 10" unframed
11.5"x 13.5" gold framed under glass
Price: $250.00

Paintings of Katherine Schneider on Exhibit at Roper Hospital through January 2010

Art Exhibition News Release:
Katherine Schneider is a featured artist in the Roper Hospital rotating gallery exhibit.
Kay's paintings are hanging in the new admitting hallway near the front entrance.

"Plantation Smoke House" is one of 18 works on exhibit November 11, 2009 - January 30, 1010 at Roper Hospital 316 Calhoun St. Charleston SC.

White Point Gardens Bandstand Restoration Nearing Completion 12.09

I've been asked to post information about the progress of the White Point Gardens bandstand restoration by a reader in England. This is what I saw when I visited the park last week (Nov. 09).

The bandstand foundation has been completed. It supports a lower floor with 5 steps on the east and west sides. Support footings are in place to install the restored original cast iron columns and cornice. Here's a link to a post on the cast iron restoration.




The roof remains suspended waiting to be lowered into place.




Restoration of the bandstand should be completed in January 2010.




Here's a link to earlier posts about the project and White Point Gardens.

And here's a link to photo's of the completed renovation of the Bandstand in White Point Gardens in April 2010.

Plein Air Charcoal Drawing at the Irvin House Vineyard Festival 2009

It was a beautiful day under the majestic oaks of the Irvin House Vinyard for the annual "Blessing of the Vines" Festival.

The Reverend Gregg Snyder from St. Johns Episcopal Church led a progressive blessing of the winery buildings, the grape vines, the Irvin family and gathered guests.
It was a spirited event with participants following Father Snyder around the vineyard adding rousing acclamations to each of the blessings.
After the blessing ceremony, all returned to picnic under the trees, enjoying the beautiful weather, live music, food, wine and craftsman displays.

A "plein air" (drawn on location) charcoal and pastel drawing of the Irvin House "Blessing of the Vines" Festival 2009.

Plein Air Paint Out at Charleston Vineyard 11.14.09

Grab your paint brushes, drawing materials, or camera and head out to Charleston's only domestic winery the Irvine - House Winery and Vineyard this Sat (11.14.09) to join local artists who will be attending at the 7th annual Blessing of the Vines Festival. In addition to providing a great opportunity to paint en plein air "in the fresh air", the festival will include blessing of the vines, live music, wine, and a BBQ cook off.

Here's a link to the Irvin - House Vineyard website for directions and more information about the day's activities.
PS: The paint out is not a sponsored activity of the festival, just a great opportunity for artists to do what we love to do - Paint Out! Check this link to the Charleston Outdoor Painters (COPA) site for more information.

A Visit to the Coastal Carolina Fair Youth Art Show 2009

It's Fall and time for the 53ed Annual Coastal Carolina Fair!

For information about the 2009 Coastal Carolina Fair including a map, scheduled events and entertainment visit http://www.coastalcarolinafair.org.

My family and I always enjoy the fair food, entertainment, and exhibits. This year the evening fireworks display over the lake was spectacular!

One of the most popular exhibits at the fair is the Youth Art Show which displays artwork in a wide range of styles by students 6 to 18yrs old from Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties.


The fair presents numerous ribbons and awards which are highly prized by their young recipients. For the past 14 yrs. my husband and I have had the pleasure of sponsoring an award at this Youth Art Show "to recognize outstanding talent as well as to encourage the further growth and development of promising young artists".

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 SCHNEIDER ART AWARDS:
Haley Ewers: Cane Bay High School,
Ellori McPherson: Wando High School,
Gabriello Wolfe: School of the Arts.

If you're going to the Coastal Carolina Fair this year be sure to go by and see all the exciting, creative artwork at this year's 2009 Youth Art Show in the Fine Arts Building.

Oil Painters of America 5th Annual "Great Paint Out" 2009 at Poplar Grove Plantation, Charleston, SC

Members of the Oil Painters of America (OPA) gathered at Poplar Grove Plantation near Charleston, SC for a weekend of plein air painting in celebration of OPA's 5th Annual "Great Paint Out".

The event provided participating artists from SC (and Ga.) the opportunity to paint in a setting of beautiful SC Lowcountry vistas at the site of one of the oldest former rice plantations in SC.

Artists Kay Schneider, Bill Davidson, Sara Jane Reynolds, Caroline Francis, Mary Edna Fraser, June Seel, Christopher Sherry,and art enthusiasts Sparky Howard and Robin Heutess gathered in the afternoon on the dock at Rantowles Creek to paint and visit.

Pictured at left-Sparky Howard "helps" Chris Sherry with his painting.




Event organizer Sara Jane "Sally" Reynolds, June Seel, and Robin Huetess enjoying the creek views.


This year's paint out included music by visual and performing artist Mary Edna Fraser and Anne Goold.

Mary Edna and Anne entertained the artists with spirituals and folk songs, with the painters joining in for a chorus or two.

As the afternoon light faded from the creek, everyone agreed that the beautiful music added greatly to the creative experience of the day.




"Evening Light on the Marsh" a plein air oil painting from the Paint Out by OPA member Katherine M. Schneider.

Hanging the 25th "People's Choice Art Exhibit" 2009

The theme for this year's 25th annual People's Choice Art Exhibit sponsored by First Federal and The Center for Women is "Art and Soul of a Woman, Celebrating the Female Spirit".

Along with the other members of the exhibitions committee, I spent the afternoon organizing and hanging over 100 show entries.

The works by the exhibiting members of the Charleston Art Guild represent or symbolize women in deed, spirit, or appearance in a broad range of styles and media.

I will be on hand for the opening of the exhibit tomorrow Oct. 2, 2009 at First Federal, 34 Broad St. Charleston, SC from 9am to 5 pm. The Exhibit is also part of the Charleston Art Walk tomorrow evening (Oct. 2, 09) from 6 - 8 pm. Light refreshments and libations will be served.

The 25th People's Choice Art Exhibit will be on display at First Federal 34 Broad St. Oct. 2 - 14 2009 during weekday business hours 9am to 5pm.

Pictured at left: "The Dolphin Watchers" by Katherine Schneider.