Current Events

The Chesapeake Bay Watercolorists' "Small Gems" show is still running at 111 Art Gallery and Studios - 2 of my paintings are in this exhibition. Wednesday July 1st I will be giving a talk on Watercolor at Work- a discussion of and demonstration on using watercolor as a graphics tool in the modern day architectural field. The lunch lecture will be at the architectural firm of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas  in Norfolk, Virginia.  www.hewv.com.  The image to the right is a recent commission for the First Lutheran Church in historic Ghent.

Norfolk Galleries Examiner: Amy McKay - Living the dream life.

Please read this recently published article:

Norfolk Galleries Examiner: Amy McKay - Living the dream life.

announcement - Migrations and Explorations Solo Exhibition

Thank you to all who supported me and turned out for the exhibition opening. The food, music and company was extraordinary! For those that missed the opening event, I would appreciate you coming by the gallery to see my exhibit and to visit my studio to see what is in progress. The show runs until June 5th, 2009. Gallery hours are 1-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday 1-4pm.

announcement

Òcoo-OOH, Ooo-Ooo-OooÓ

My children are my most honest and unsolicited art critics- bless their dear hearts. Lillian recently informed me I have over-sized the eye of the dove in this sketch. Attempting to prove each other wrong, we can now be seen glued to the front window observing the various specimens. It seems lately they have multiplied just for our purposes as they now crowd the power lines across the street. They stare back at us now though maybe it has something to do with us potentially hindering access to this week's seed variety. My friend has joined the ranks of our fledgling fan club. She and her husband are now monitoring an egg clutch recently laid in a newly constructed nest just outside their door. The facts are interesting: their wings whistle in flight, they mate for life though their average life span is a whopping 18 months. They are the only hunted songbird and one of the top 10 most prolific game birds across the nation. Apparently, some think they make for some good eatin'... if you can shoot down enough high-speed nuggets before you starve to death. I have also come to learn the doves found in the Midwest are simply larger- more corn to chow on means fatter, gluttonous birds- bigger nuggets in fact. So here I rest my case- I share with you my sketch of an East Coast skinny dove whose eyes optically appear larger since proportionally the body is in fact smaller- its all an indication of undernourishment. While I still think Lillian is wrong about the size of the eye she does wisely remind me to share time with one another and not to live too fast. Please feed your skinny birds- they need fat during the winter when food is scarce.

from the sketchbook

Willemstad, Curacao
This beautiful central government building graces the mouth of St. Anna Baai and regulates police affairs, post, education, aviation, public health and telecommunications. This image was sketched from across the bay where Lillian was having her hair braided- a 2.5 hour process. I am glad to have finally visited the island since years ago it was a toss up between Curacao and the Grandines for an extensive diving trip. Although this island is architecturally very beautiful and the people seem genuinely pleasant, I am sure the right choice was made.

announcement

It is certainly uplifting to get back to traditional drawing roots.  The next live model session will be at 111 Art Studio Gallery on February 16th between 4 and 7 pm.  All artists are invited. Bring your skills and your drawing/painting medium of choice. 

This drawing is from the last session and it is rendered in watercolor pencil.