2184, Juanita Bellavance, Sketch23, From the Chestatee River Perspective, 2021, Charkole on paper, 24 x 24 inches

This new body of work was started on January first of 2021 and was developed through March 31. After being cooped up so much in 2020 I had started going for walks beside a local creek. I took lots of pictures and later decided I would make a portfolio of paintings inspired by the creek.

It wasn't long before I realized I wanted a larger variety of content from a river instead. It's only a short drive from my home to the Chestatee River in Dahlonega, GA. From hundreds of photos taken at various times of day on different days, I made drawings from photo references.

After weeks of studies, I have composed a body of paintings directly from my site-specific experience and sketches.