(Aug. 4, 2016) Linda Epstein, Annie Compton and Jane Rowe all lived in Drayden, Maryland — an unincorporated area in St. Mary’s county — when they began painting together at least 20 years ago, and though Linda and Annie have moved since then, they still get together, mostly via text messages, to catch up and critique each others’ work.
The three friends will have their first show together at Bishop’s Stock for this month’s First Friday, starting at 5 p.m. in downtown Snow Hill.
“If I’m having a problem or am close to done a painting, I text photos to see what everyone thinks,” Epstein said.
While Rowe still lives in Drayden, Compton now lives in Austin, Texas and Epstein lives in Pocomoke City and also owns the Bad Ponies Studio and Gallery in Chincoteague, Virginia.
“We started what we called “morning exercises.” Epstein said. “Annie would get up, make coffee and paint for a couple of hours, I would get up, make coffee and paint, and Jane would get up, make tea and do the same. We didn’t do it every morning, but it was our way of getting feedback.”
When the trio split, the ritual remained the same despite increased distances.
“To some degree, we’re all realist painters. Landscapes are an emphasis for me. Annie is more expressive, while Jane is more on the serious side,” Epstein said.
Epstein’s recent focus has been on the Pocomoke River, and the skies above it in particular.
“With the recent weather, I have been having some fun,” she said.
The three painters have also participated in the annual Paint Snow Hill plein air event, which also is hosted by Bishop’s Stock.
“We’ll have been in business 13 years this November, and when we opened we’d decided to change exhibits monthly,” Ann Coates, owner, said. “It was never a situation where we would do one thing and someone else would do another — First Fridays grew from everyone chiming in.”
With the art scene in Snow Hill picking up, Coates said she will continue to focus on local artists and artists who have local roots.
“We want to make people aware of the diversity in creativity we have in this area,” Coates said.
For example, the gallery hosts an abstract show each February despite a relatively small number of enthusiasts in the area for that kind of work, she said. But, Coates continued, the work remained important and necessary for art lovers in the area to see.
“It’s more of an exchange,” she said.
And one the town recognizes.
“Bishop’s Stock has been an anchor for Snow Hill for many years. Ann Coates has been the town’s arts advocate for just as many — even serving on the state’s Public Art Committee,” Michael Day, the town’s economic development advisor, said. “Over many years, Ann has chaired numerous events promoting not only the Snow Hill Art and Entertainment District, but Snow Hill as a place to start a business, raise a family or just visit.”
The three friends will have their first show together at Bishop’s Stock for this month’s First Friday, starting at 5 p.m. in downtown Snow Hill.
“If I’m having a problem or am close to done a painting, I text photos to see what everyone thinks,” Epstein said.
While Rowe still lives in Drayden, Compton now lives in Austin, Texas and Epstein lives in Pocomoke City and also owns the Bad Ponies Studio and Gallery in Chincoteague, Virginia.
“We started what we called “morning exercises.” Epstein said. “Annie would get up, make coffee and paint for a couple of hours, I would get up, make coffee and paint, and Jane would get up, make tea and do the same. We didn’t do it every morning, but it was our way of getting feedback.”
When the trio split, the ritual remained the same despite increased distances.
“To some degree, we’re all realist painters. Landscapes are an emphasis for me. Annie is more expressive, while Jane is more on the serious side,” Epstein said.
Epstein’s recent focus has been on the Pocomoke River, and the skies above it in particular.
“With the recent weather, I have been having some fun,” she said.
The three painters have also participated in the annual Paint Snow Hill plein air event, which also is hosted by Bishop’s Stock.
“We’ll have been in business 13 years this November, and when we opened we’d decided to change exhibits monthly,” Ann Coates, owner, said. “It was never a situation where we would do one thing and someone else would do another — First Fridays grew from everyone chiming in.”
With the art scene in Snow Hill picking up, Coates said she will continue to focus on local artists and artists who have local roots.
“We want to make people aware of the diversity in creativity we have in this area,” Coates said.
For example, the gallery hosts an abstract show each February despite a relatively small number of enthusiasts in the area for that kind of work, she said. But, Coates continued, the work remained important and necessary for art lovers in the area to see.
“It’s more of an exchange,” she said.
And one the town recognizes.
“Bishop’s Stock has been an anchor for Snow Hill for many years. Ann Coates has been the town’s arts advocate for just as many — even serving on the state’s Public Art Committee,” Michael Day, the town’s economic development advisor, said. “Over many years, Ann has chaired numerous events promoting not only the Snow Hill Art and Entertainment District, but Snow Hill as a place to start a business, raise a family or just visit.”