I am constantly in awe of the artistic talent that comes out of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the surrounding areas. Looking through the local art pieces I’ve collected over the years, I could hardly select just a few! No matter where I travel, I find the best representation of a place is the art that comes from independent shops and art fairs. Some of my favorite artworks have come from NOLA’s Frenchmen Art Market and Austin’s Art Garage. But still, nothing resonates like the art from home, sweet home.

My most recent local acquisition came from HERE. a pop-up shop at the Annapolis Towne Centre. It is a print by Steve Shook, a modern, graphic take on one of my favorite landmarks at the beach in Cape Henlopen State Park. You can actually climb to the top of one of these WWII-era lookout towers!

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“It’s always coffee time” is a sentiment felt in many art studios. This was printed during a letterpress workshop at Baltimore Print Studios, a renowned public-access print shop in the Station North Arts District not too far from the BWI region.

As this pennant touts, the Brooklyn Art Library houses the largest collection of sketchbooks you can view from artists all over the world. Artist Stephanie Baker and I embarked on the Sketchbook Project last summer and our works now live in the permanent collection.

The butterfly sketch is a personal ink and watercolor, and The Jungle Book illustration is from fellow MICA grad Becca Statdlander, whose work I love to collect. This buffalo print is by Becca as well.

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Every year I participate in MICA’s Art Market in December and buy as much as I sell! This poster is from MICA’s Globe Collection– letterpress pieces that were once used to make posters for Tina Turner, Tom Petty, James Brown, and every big name act in American music history.

The skull is an original ink drawing by Baltimore illustrator Janna Morton.

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This pillow was screen printed by Matt Reese at Blk Ankr Industries for his Johnny Knuckles line. He is a true craftsman, I love seeing all the things he has in the works in his shop. I purchased this at the Art In Action Mural Festival hosted by Urban Walls Brazil & The Annapolis Design District- one of my favorite places to buy and see public and local art! 

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If I ever hit the lottery, I’m pretty sure I would have my own dedicated Charles Lawrance gallery. Until then, I have a hearty bright green rockfish fish print from FinArt. Charles is a kayak angler with artistic talent that will leave you awestruck. His catch isn’t only for dinner but for printmaking as well. 

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Alison Harbaugh is another favorite photographer and biz-lady I admire so much. She has made a creative haven for the community but still manages to create amazing works of her own. This ethereal double exposure print was picked up from Alison’s show at Tsunami showcasing images from India and Cuba. I travel vicariously through my friends! Art is truly transformative. To really get to know Alison and her impact on the community be sure to visit her creative space in the Design District, Art Farm (that also just so happens to share space with FinArt)!

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This piece in the Art at Large studio of Sally Comport’s is one of my favorite illustrations. It is of Civil Rights Marchers walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama. The perspective and bold colors of the flag truly capture the intensity of the moment.

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No matter how little wall space I may have, I can never resist the impulse to buy local art!