Oil painting has interested me since my youth--however many years passed before I began to pursue painting with a passion. Everywhere I go I see a painting waiting to happen. Thus, I have taken hundreds of snap shots the world over--many finding their way to a canvas in my studio. I have attended classes and workshops in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, California, North Carolina and Arizona and have displayed my paintings in all those beautiful settings. Currently you can see my oil paintings in Otero Gallery in Tubac, Arizona. Since our son lives in France, I have had many opportunities to travel to that lovely country and drink in the beauty and charm and come home to paint to my hearts content. Last summer I had the joy of traveling to Italy on a painting vacation--the outcome has been many oil paintings of the picturesque countryside. Currently we are living in Green Valley, Arizona, where the opportunities for artistic expression are unlimited. Come visit often to view the new paintings reflecting God's wondrous creation!

I grew up in Nutley, New Jersey, and I am told that my first grade teacher, Miss Weischedel, told my parents that I had some artistic talent. At age 12 I startaed to take oil painting lessons with Mrs. Ryan--and how I loved those Saturday morning lessons! I would get on the #28 bus at the corner of Kenzel Avenue and Kingsland Road. Getting off the bus as Centre Street and Franklin Avenue, I would walk along Franklin Avenue to Chestnut Street. turn right and walk up to Passaic Avenue. Mrs. Ryan lived on the corner--I would go down the basement steps, open the door and smell that beautiful odor of oil paints! Her basement was filled with objects and pictures to paint. Unfortunately for me, Mrs. Ryan moved away two years later---so many years passed by before I began to paint seriously.
~ Grace Dallanegra