Dear Friends,

I believe that the winter weather has finally arrived. I have been greeted with snow this week everywhere that I have been. In spite of the cold, it has been a wonderful week.

On Wednesday the Moss in the New River Valley Society chapter held its annual Christmas luncheon and my daughter Becky and I had the pleasure of attending. This lovely chapter was chartered in 1992 and a number of original members are still active.  What a joy to see them all! The luncheon was held at Al’s on First in downtown Pulaski, a delightful venue. One of the subjects of conversation that day was about the painting I had just completed of local landmark, Sidna Allen House.

Queen Anne style Sidna Allen House in Fancy Gap is owned by the local historical society and currently undergoing restoration. I hope to have a print edition of this ready sometime in January.

It was a happy reunion with Eddie Stevens by the Christmas tree.  He and his wife, Jeanette, were Moss dealers for many years. Their shop was The Framers Daughter and was located Dublin, VA. Jeanette was unable to attend. My prayers go out for her.

Thursday morning Becky and I left home for Columbus, Ohio and the Gallery Art Centers annual open house. Owner Suzi Campbell always has a great show. The gallery was beautifully decorated, but it was the friends and collectors who came that filled the place with love and the Christmas spirit. Perhaps the release of my new print, Unconditional Ohio Love, which features a dog, prompted collectors to bring their four-legged friends to the gallery. Becky aptly named it a “day of puppies.”

We enjoyed a relaxing dinner Thursday night before the show at Hudson 29 in Upper Arlington, OH. Pictured L to R: Johnny, Becky, me, John and Tim. John and Johnny went on the recent Society Italy trip with us. It was great to share stories again.

A happy Winston posing with owners Wayne and Lisa McCullen.  Lisa and Wayne purchased the original painting of the show print for Winston.

Roger and Linda Blackwell displaying their beautifully framed By His Wounds. I got to spend some quality time with their puppy.

After the show on Friday we had our yearly gathering at the Pinnacle Golf Club. Good food and great company made for a lively evening. Pictured with me L to R: Mary Campbell, Steve Campbell (orange hat) Brent, Peter, Suzi Campbell, Virginia and Becky.

Isn’t Columbus, Ohio beautiful at night? Peter drove us around before and after dinner to enjoy the festive lights of the town.  No amount of cold, dreary weather could dampen our spirits or Gallery Art Center’s holiday open house.

Oftentimes I will leave a little wall sketch at a gallery to celebrate our time together. Until next time Ohio!

On our drive home from Ohio we were met with blinding snow in West Virginia. I was grateful to have all day Sunday to rest. Monday morning I went to Roanoke, VA and was a guest on FM 102.5, the Mountain. Radio personality Chris Connor, Becky and I chatted on-air about upcoming shows and my philanthropic endeavors. I find it so rewarding when I can reach out to a new audience and tell them about the Moss Foundation for Children’s Education. Now that I am living in Radford, VA, I am also involved with the New River Conservancy and Friends of Claytor Lake. Moss Galleries has provided donations to all of these groups. The funds were generated from sales of specific prints. I encourage everyone to reach out into your communities, locate and support groups such as these. For information on the Moss Foundation and how you can support it, follow this link, mossfoundation.org, or call 800-430-1320.

On-air with Chris Connor at 102.5 FM, the Mountain in Roanoke, VA.

I will be closing my fall gallery tour with an Open House at Moss Gallery of Blacksburg, VA. My daughters Becky and Mary run this gallery. I am thrilled that the Renaissance Music Academy will be performing during the show. Refreshments will be served. There will be a drawing for a gift basket that includes a Moss print. Come celebrate the holidays with my family and me.

The Nutcracker-Prince of Dreams


Winter Memories

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing others' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays."  
  - W. C. Jones

Love,