Sandra Copora Solo show in Bethlehem, PA

"Bucks County Sunset", Sandra Corpora, Oil on Linen, 16"x20"

We just got home from spending three days Plein Air Painting and attending Sandra Corpora's solo show at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, PA. The show consists of a year of Sandy's painting life. The paintings are great and the opening and artist talk were wonderful. It's always great when we get to spend time painting with Sandy and supporting each others art events.

"Odd Lot" Finished

"Odd Lot", Steven. J. Parrish, Oil on Linen, 20"x16"

I spent a couple more days working on this painting after the two days I spent working on it at the Shenandoah Arts Council's open studio tour. It was great painting live in front of all the people who stopped by to watch. I think it turned out OK now that it's finished.

Once again thanks to everyone who watched me paint this painting live, I had a blast, I hope you did also.

"Painting live at the 

Shenandoah Arts Council"

 "Odd Lot", Steven J Parrish, 20"x16", Oil on Linen

Steven J Parrish painting at the Shenandoah Arts Council open studio tour November 13th and 14th 2010.

As part of the open studio tour I packed up half my studio and set up at the Shenandoah Arts Council's building. I worked on a still life painting I had put together just for the event. I had a great time talking to all the people who stopped in to watch. It was a bit of paint by request. "When are you going to paint that part?"  "Well, now I guess", "How are you going to paint that section?" "Let's find out, now". What a way to get you out of your usual painting method. Everyone was supportive, friendly, and seemed to enjoy seeing the process of creating a work of art. Now I just have to make sure I finish the painting and put it in an exhibit at the council so people can see the final result.

My sincerest thank you to everyone, your kind words are most heart felt and much appreciated.

"Irish Heritage"

"Irish Heritage", Linda Volrath, 12x16, Oil on Panel

The stunning conformation of this elite level steeplechase horse caught my eye and seems perfectly paired with the striking Celtic design of the jockey's silks. The blue and green harmony is reinforced by the intense bright sky, the tents and grooms' apparel.


This new painting will be available at auction during the Calcutta, September 17th the night before the 2010 Blue Ridge Fall Races. This year's auction and races will benefit Hospice of the Panhandle, Inc. and Youth Development Center, Inc. Follow the links for more information on these organizations.

We're back from Paris

"Inspired by the Louvre", Linda Volrath, 10x8, Oil on Linen

Linda spent several days plein air painting around the outside of the Louvre. We both spent several days inside the Louvre and the Musee D' orsay admiring the paintings. We had a great time on our trip and were lucky enough to have a place to stay right in the middle of the Louvre district. We could walk to famous landmarks in any direction. We got to spend time with the Vermeer's, Rembrandt's, David's and Van Gogh's with no crowds. If you can't get inspired in Paris, then you just can't get inspired.

Linda has joined The Sporting Gallery

"Winter Nightfall", Linda Volrath, 10 x 10, Oil on Linen

Linda was honored to be invited to join The Sporting Gallery in Middleburg, VA. She is proud to be included with the world renowned artists they represent. The Sporting Gallery has a reputation for showing the artwork of the best artists, past and present, working in sporting art. The gallery is showing the range of Linda's work, equestrian, landscape, still life and figurative.

Masters of Foxhounds Association Centennial book

"Side Saddle Charm", Linda Volrath, 12 x 16, Oil on Masonite

The Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) centennial book 1907 to 2007 has been published and is now available. The book covers the last 100 years of fox hunting and Foxhounds history and includes two of Linda's equestrian paintings. Linda is honored that her art was selected for inclusion in this monumental project.

Morven Park Commission:

"Morven Park Mansion", Linda Volrath, 14 x 18, Oil on Linen

This painting of the mansion at Morven Park in Leesburg Virginia was commissioned by the Westmoreland Davis Foundation as a gift for retiring Executive Director Will O'Keefe. It was presented at a reception held in the newly renovated section of the mansion. It was through Mr O'Keefe's tireless efforts that the mansion is in the process of a massive restoration. The reception and the mansion were in fine form. Thank you to the Foundation Board of Directors for giving Linda the opportunity to honor the career of Mr O'Keefe and the beautiful historic property at Morven Park.

We personally wish to thank Mr O'Keefe and others like him who commit to the restoration of America's historic properties.

Thank You



"Into the Foothills", Linda Volrath, 18" x 24", Oil on Linen


Linda and I would like to humbly and sincerely thank everyone who helped make the opening reception of Linda's solo show such a wonderful success. Heartfelt thanks to the collectors and patrons who support the arts and buy original paintings. We couldn't have done it without our friends and family, Sandy, Virginia, Ray and Mary. Tracy form the Shenandoah Arts Council and Melanie from Wiseman and Associates, you are both angels and your efforts are truly appreciated.

For those who can't see the show in person you can take an online tour of the show at; http://home.att.net/~volrath-parrish/

We create art because we are artists, we create art because we love it, we create art because it adds beauty to the world. We're glad people enjoy our art and have chosen to make it a part of their lives.

Linda Volrath "Sporting Art and Rural Scenes of the Shenandoah Valley" Solo Exhibition


"Outward Bound", Linda Volrath, 16 x 24, Oil on Linen

The opening reception for Linda's solo show is October 10, 2009 5 to 8 PM at the Shenandoah Arts Council in Winchester, VA. Linda has been working on the paintings for this show for over a year and has created a beautiful body of work. The show is up through November 6th, 2009, so if you can't make it to the reception you can still see the exhibition. If you are not in the area you can see most of the paintings in the show at this link; http://home.att.net/~volrath-parrish/

"Blue Ridge Hospice Calcutta dinner and auction"


"Paddock Stripes" Linda Volrath, 14" x 18", Oil on Linen


"Overdrive", Linda Volrath, 10" x 20", Oil on Linen


"Outward Bound", Linda Volrath, 16" x 24", Oil on Linen

We were fortunate enough to attend the Calcutta dinner and auction to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice on September 18th. The three paintings Linda provided for the auction brought in very generous donations for Hospice. The bidding was fast and furious, thank you to all the bidders and congratulations to the winners. It was a wonderful evening all around, we got to spend time with family and friends, and raise money for Hospice. Thanks to Melanie Marks of Wiseman and Associates for all her effort in this event. We then spent Saturday at the fall point to point races to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice. The weather for the spectators was perfect, the drought made the course very hard for the horses. Thanks to Michael Hoffman and Melanie Marks for co-chairing and organizing both of these great events.

We now turn our focus to getting ready for Linda's solo sporting art show in October.

"Sporting Art Solo Show"


"Overdrive", Linda Volrath, 10" x 20", Oil on Linen

A solo exhibition of the sporting art of Linda Volrath will be held at the Sheandoah Arts Council gallery from October 10th through November 6th 2009. This is a rare opportunity to view and purchase original oil paintings from a collection of Linda's beautiful Shenandoah Valley inspired sporting art and rural scenes. Several of the oil paintings from this collection will be available at an auction to raise funds for Blue Ridge Hospice. The auction will take place during the Calcutta dinner prior to the Blue Ridge Fall Races to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice September 19th 2009. Paintings sold at the auction will be on display at the Shenandoah Arts Council show until November 6th. For information about the Calcutta dinner/Auction you can contact Melanie Marks at mmarks@wisemanandassociates.

If you would like to receive the link to a special VIP online preview of the paintings included in this exhibition please email your contact information to llvolrath@att.net. Information regarding pre-show sales will be included with this preview.

Art Show in Hollin Hills


"Life at the Fox Theater", Linda L Volrath, 20" x 16",Oil on Linen

Linda and I participated in a group art show Sunday March 15th in the Hollin Hills subdivision in Alexandria, VA, Hosted by Chris and Jean Koppen. The four artists invited to take over the Koppen's mid-century modern home were Ian Bird, Merrill Warschoff Press, Linda Volrath, and Steven J Parrish. The show consisted of a wide range of art from small pottery bowls to a 6 foot wide map of the USA made of found objects, Linda and I provided 17 paintings. Around 70 people attended the show and every ones art was well received and appreciated. We were successful in starting some new art collections, and adding to others. Thank you to all those patrons who purchased art, it is always an honor to have our work added to someones home.


"USA Map", Ian Bird, Size: Big, Found Objects on Panel

We would like to thank Chris and Jean for the tremendous effort on their part of organizing and hosting this Art Show. You are wonderful hosts, art patrons, and most of all friends, it was a real success.


Art of Ian Bird and Linda Volrath


Art of Merrill Warschoff Press and Linda Volrath

"A Man Makes Pie"


"A Man Makes Pie", Steven J Parrish, 20" x 16", Oil on Linen

If left to my own devices, this is how I would make an apple pie. Luckily I am seldom left to my own devices. The painting was really inspired by rummaging around in Jack's garage, drawers and drawers full of old tools and hardware. I have a second painting in this series already started, "Good as New" or "Maybe She Won't Notice" I'll post a photo of it when it is further along.

We are both working on paintings for upcoming 2009 shows, we will post the details when we know the dates.

"Merry Christmas"


"Wild Persimmons", Linda Volrath, 6" x 6", Oil on Panel

Linda and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We truly appreciate your comments and interest in our art. We look forward to sharing our art filled lives with you in the new year.

Steven Parrish and Linda volrath

"Great Week of Plein Air Painting"

Our good friend and fellow artist Sandra Corpora spent a week with us recently and we went out painting everyday, morning, afternoon and one sunset too. We had one rain day so we all painted still lifes which was a nice change of pace. Three painters, four days and twenty paintings started, what a week. We painted the farms of the northern Shenandoah Valley, from apple orchards to horse farms. With a critique of our work at the end of each day, it was all art, all the time, with a little wine and good food to keep us going. The last afternoon we had a marathon session painting a row of old retired John Deere tractors. They are still unfinished and need some work in the studio, but here they are;


"Deere John", Sandra Corpora, 11" x 14". Oil on Panel


"Fence Row Ornaments", Linda Volrath, 9" x 12", Oil on Linen


"Ran Like a Deere", Steven J Parrish, 9" x 12", Oil on Linen

"Blue Ridge Hunt's Point to Point to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice"


"At the Start", Linda Volrath, 18" x 24", Oil on Linen

The Blue Ridge Hunt held it's fall point to point race and Calcutta dinner to raise money for Blue Ridge Hospice last weekend. Linda's "At the Start" painting was on the cover of the race program and it and her "Dust Devils" painting were auctioned at the dinner to benefit hospice.


"Dust Devils", Linda Volrath, 11" x 13", Oil on Linen

The auction was a huge success, with the winning bids well above the estimates. We wish to thank and congratulate the winning bidders for their support of Blue Ridge Hospice. We would also like to thank Melanie Marks of Wiseman & Associates, Co-Chair of the event for getting us involved and for putting on an excellent weekend of events. The weather was perfect and the races were spirited, no horses were injured, and despite a couple of thrown jockeys all went well. Co-Chair Michael Hoffman kept everything running smooth and safe, for more information check this website www.blueridgefallraces.com.

"Two Art Shows Opening This Week."


"Pure Golden", Linda Volrath, 12"x16", Oil on Linen

Linda has been very busy painting for two shows that open this week. First was the Oatlands Art Show in Leesburg, VA which opened Monday July 7th. The second which opens today July 10th at Main Street Gallery in Annapolis, MD. These images are from the Main Street Show.


"Studio Window", Linda Volrath, "11x15", Oil on Linen


"The Red Cup" Linda Volrath, 10"x8", Oil on Panel

I will post the images from the Oatlands show next week. Linda and I both have paintings in the Oatlands show.

"Recent Plein Air Studies"


"Plein Air Study, Azaleas in the Rain" Linda Volrath, 8 x 10, Oil on Linen


"Plein Air Study, Dogwood in Bloom" Steven J Parrish, 9 x 12, Oil on Linen

These two paintings are examples of Plein Air quick studies that we have done since we took Kenn Backhaus's Workshop last month (See post below). Linda and I both learned a great deal from Kenn and will continue to use what he taught us in our landscape paintings.

We are now both busy painting for upcoming shows, hopefully I can post some of them in the near future.

"Oatlands Plantation 2008 Gala"


"Morning Sun on Oatlands Mansion", Linda Volrath, 8" x 10", Oil on Linen

We attended the Oatlands Plantation spring 2008 black tie gala last weekend. The gala is a fund raising event to benefit this historic trust property in Leesburg, VA. Linda and I have been involved with them for about 10 years. We have had paintings in their annual art show every year and have always done well selling paintings. Linda donated this painting "Morning Sun on Oatlands Mansion" for the silent auction. Bidding was strong and the painting raised the most money of all the silent auction items, we would like to thank and congratulate the winning bidder. We would also like to thank Cynthia Bridgman for having us at her table. We enjoyed speaking to William C. Travis and his wife Sally, William's watercolor painting of Oatlands was used on the invitation and was donated for the live auction. His painting raised a substantial amount of money for Oatlands benefit. We would like to thank everyone involved at Oatlands for always being so kind to us, allowing us to paint on their property and giving us opportunities to be involved in their fund raising events. If you can visit Oatlands it is well worth the trip.