 Must Read for Your Trip to Jamaica ... If you have ever visited Jamaica and climbed Dunn’s River Falls or have gone to Rose Hall Great House there, you will enjoy reading Hearts Across Forever. You will probably remember the guides at Rose Hall relating the story of the White Witch, a beautiful plantation owner who more than 200 years ago abused those living on the Great House property. The story impressed Mary Montague Sikes, the author of Hearts Across Forever, leading her to write this book that mingles the historic tale with the rich beauty of the island and its people of today. LINK for more information on Monti's book.
|
 What's Happening ... The sign for the gallery space for Mary Montague Sikes at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond has been updated. The Lucinda Calligraphy letters were created by Banner Express and are like the branding used for her book, Hotels to Remember and also for her latest book, Spirit Visions Soul Songs. LINK for more information on Monti's newest book.
Monti continues to work in Cold Wax and oil as well as in Mixed Media and Watercolor on Yupo. She enjoys teaching Cold Wax and other Artist Workshops. The image on the left below was taken during a January 2019 Cold Wax Workshop she taught for Arts Alive! in West Point, Virginia.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Prince George Art and Frame in Williamsburg, Virginia continues to show Monti's work. The gallery has a variety of her pieces on view, including several small encaustics. See left center image above. LINK to the Gallery
In November 2018, Monti traveled to Sedona, Arizona where she took a Jan Sitts Mixed Media Workshop at the Sedona Arts Center. See right center image above. She also got to indulge her passion for photographing the exotic scenery of the far West. Image on the right above.
On the Edge of Xanadu by Mary Montague Sikes won an Award of Excellence at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center’s Regional Juried Art Show in October 2018. This painting, a watercolor/mixed media on canvas, was selected for the 7th Annual Art Speaks Juried Exhibition 2019 by the juror, Janly Jaggard. The show will open April 27, 2019 at the Bay School Community Arts Center, Mathews, VA with a reception 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and will be on view until May 27. Image on the left below.
"Point of Entry" by Mary Montague Sikes was selected for the Gloucester Arts on Main Juried Show by Juror Jennifer Morningstar, Gallery Manager of the Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center. This is watercolor and mixed media on 300# Arches paper. Opening reception and awards ceremony will be April 5, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gallery. The show will run through April 27. See the image below left center.
Mary Montague Sikes's watercolor painting, "Searching for Xanadu", was selected for the March Juried All-Media Show at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond, Virginia. Ellyn Parker, Exhibitions Manager at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, was juror for the show. The show opens Friday, March 15, 2019 with a reception 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. that is free and open to the public. Art will be on view until May 12. See the image below right center. LINK to Crossroads Art Center
Mary Montague Sikes has recently published a new book -- Spirit Visions Soul Songs-- that features paintings and writings to inspire meditation and focus. Watch our site for book signing opportunities. See image on the right below. LINK for additional information. |
 |
 |
 |
|
 The artwork of Mary Montague Sikes has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her paintings are in the collections of the College of William and Mary Law Library, Media General, Philip Morris, Marriott Hotels, SuperClubs Jamaica, One Capitol Square (Richmond VA), and many more. Her work is also part of numerous private collections in the United States and abroad.
Throughout the years, this artist has explored many different series of work including portraiture early in her career. For her MFA thesis in painting at Virginia Commonwealth University, she created a series of pastel working drawings and large acrylic and oil paintings on canvas of scenes from the Rocky Mountains. A series of joyful tropical foliage paintings followed.
Always enamored with color, Sikes currently is exploring a new series of paintings on stretched canvas that use color and texture to highlight design in her work. To share the joy she finds in this experimental art, she is teaching workshops, "Creating with Texture and Color," at various locations.
|
|
