Join me for the opening of the Academy's Self-Portrait Invitational

I'm excited to be a part of this self-portrait show, only the third of such since the Academy's inception. These are hosted every seven years (or so). The first was in Feb 1995, the second in March 2003, and the third, a bit late, will be in January 2012.

Self-Portrait Invitational Exhibition
Academy Gallery
The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
5256 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 899-8111
www.noafa.com

Opening Reception
Saturday January 14, 2012
6-9 p.m.

Participating artists include Auseklis Ozols, Kim Bernardas, Jean Cassels, Will Crocker, Claude Ellender, Diego Larguia, Carol Peebles, Victoria Ryan, Phil Sandusky, Billy Solitario, Garth Swanson, Nell Tilton, Patti Adams, Marianne Antoine, Errol Barron, Tony Benjamin, Kathy Brombacher, Tom Bruno, Jose Maria Cundin, Tucker Fitzhugh, Robert Guthrie, Susan Hotard, Gretchen Krasny, Lori Lockwood, Allison McAshan, Laura Mitchell, Peter Schnore, Jean Seidenberg, Karen Stasny, Chris Stebly, Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux, Kathleen Trapolin, Tim Trapolin, Janet Urrate, Magtillt Van Thiel, Dell Weller, Kris Wenschuh, June Woodbrige, and more!

I am happy to report that my painting "Self-Portrait with Hat" has been awarded 2nd place in the Portrait Society of America's Members-Only Competition 2011.

Painting: Self-Portrait With Hat

"Self-Portrait with Hat," original oil painting by Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux,  16" x 20", oil on linen, 2011, collection of the artist

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts' third self-portrait show, held every seven (or so) years.

When I sat down to paint my portrait, I tried a few different vantage points and efforts. In fact, three failed paintings stand before this one, the keeper. After a few rough attempts, I decided to paint a companion to the portrait of my husband Troy, in his favorite hat, that I painted in 2009.

"Portrait of Troy," original oil painting by Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux, 16" x 20", oil on linen, 2009 

I have painted Troy many times, starting when we met in graduate school in 1996. This one, painted in a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon in 2009, is the keeper.  He could be reading, or writing code, as he often did, on those Saturday afternoons, in Washington, D.C.  It's worth noting that my morning's painting was a wash. So I came home from painting group to paint this one fresh, after hours of looking and correcting, but having nothing to take home.

In any case, I wanted my portrait to look at his, across the room.

Here we are together:

A few sessions in to painting my self-portrait, I lost the hat.  I knew I was done.

This painting debuts at the opening of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts' 3rd Self-Portrait Invitational Exhibit 2012.

join me for Garden District Gallery's Holiday Open House

Holiday Open House

December 14, 2011-January 9, 2012

Garden District Gallery

1332 Washington Ave

New Orleans, LA 70130 

504-891-3032 

http://www.gardendistrictgallery.com

Featured Artists:

Patti Adams

Katie Arimura

David Armentor

Kim Bernardas

Nini Bodenheimer

Jean Cassels

Kat Fitzpatrick

JoAnn Greenberg

Martha Guthrie

Patricia Tait Jones

Elayne Kuehler

Laura Mitchell

Carol Peebles

Michael Prokos

Glinda Schafer

Jacques Soulas

Phil Thompson

Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux

Kris Wenschuh

and more

Opening Reception 

Wednesday December 14, 2011 

6-8 p.m.

Painting: Trees III

Trees III
original oil painting by Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux
5"x7"
oil on panel
2011

to inquire about this painting, contact Patti Adams at the Garden District Gallery 504-891-3032

Painting: Trees II

Trees II

original oil painting by Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux

5"x7" 

oil on panel

2011

to inquire about this painting, contact Patti Adams at the Garden District Gallery 504-891-3032