Feb Artist Clue #3 - Prolific & Amazing for Her Time

          In 1824, this artist and her sister Anna where accepted into the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. This was quite an honor for their time because they were the first women to achieve this distinction. As you probably have already noted, this month's featured artist is a woman. She was not only an incredible painter, but also a pioneer for women in the field of art. She is actually dubbed the first successful woman artist in America! Her prolific art career lasted almost sixty years where she competitively out painted the well-known male artists of her time. Her contemporaries included artists like Thomas Sully, Jacob Eichholtz, and John Wesley Jarvis. During a time when women had limited opportunities and choices, this artist was successful enough to support herself financially though she never married.

          Stay tuned to my next blog where I will reveal the identity of this awesome artist. I have to explain that I have had a little artful adventure delay because of an adventure of a different kind....the Grandmotherly kind! I became a new Grandma last week to a sweet little baby girl. What an amazing and fun experience; each day has been joyfully satisfying! Sadly, I will soon have to say a temporary goodbye to the new little family and move from one adventure to another. As I head back home, I will make a special stop in Salt Lake City to visit a particular museum.... This museum, which is located on the campus of BYU, houses the work of February's featured artist. I can't wait to see her painting up close and personal (maybe I can even touch it - jk!) So my next blog entry will include my refections of this artist and how she has affected and influenced me personally. I'm really looking forward to reporting on my experience and hearing your thoughts in return. As a result of researching this artist, a newly inspired pattern will be available mid March.