Catching up with Maria Bennett Hock
It has been a while since I have been featured on Military Spouse Fine Art Network and I have been busy! My most recent showing was at the Salmagundi Club in New York City. I was accepted as an official Coast Guard Artist for their COGAP program. I was fortunate to get two Coast Guard paintings accepted and I was able to attend the reception at the Salmagundi club. It was a beautiful military ceremony and I was honored to be a part of it. It was the 42nd Anniversary of the Club hosting the ceremony and Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard attended to give out certificates to the participants.
During the pandemic I was fortunate to be able to collaborate with Duke University Hospital on a project painting 45 portraits in 45 days. The portraits were of essential staff that worked at the hospital…many of the unsung heroes working when everyone else was staying home. I specifically asked that they be people that don’t usually get recognition such as kitchen staff, maintenance workers, custodians and others that were required to be at the hospital in spite of the danger it posed but don’t usually get accolades. It was a very emotionally moving project that culminated in a reception where I was able to present the portraits to the staff.
Pictures from the Duke University Hospital Covid project
I have also been doing more teaching and recently taught a week long residency to students at the Waterworks Visual Arts Center in Salisbury North Carolina. The course concentrated on sketching and painting portraits.
I copy at the National Gallery of Art in Washing DC twice a year which helps me hone my skills as I study the masters works. If anyone is in Washington DC August 28, 29 and 30 I will be in Gallery 51 copying “Girl with a Broom” originally painted by a student of Rembrandt.
I feel so very fortunate that I have so many opportunities in my life. I paint every day that I can. If I don’t paint I sketch and always work to improve my skills.
I really appreciate the interest the Military Spouse Fine Art Network has shown in my work over the years. Thanks so very much.