Northern Neck Artists - Video Walk-through
Connie Canby
Orkendell "Dell" Ford was born in Louisville, Kentucky where he lived until he joined the Military. His military career took him to many countries while he was stationed in Japan and Spain. During his tour in Spain, Orkendell studied at the University of Maryland under Clarence Shivers, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former Tuskeegee Airman who became his mentor and dear friend. Dell retired from the Air Force, worked for a government contractor for a number of years, then finished his career as a civilian with the Deparmtne of DeFense working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a total of 35+ years of Federal Service. His work has been on display in Spain, Colorado, Virginia and New York. Orkendell currently resides in Virginia between his homes in metropolitan Alexandria and rural Montross. He loves fishing and traveling in addition to painting. Hr married his wife, Sheila while stationed at Steward Air Force Base, Newburg, NY. The Fords have one adult daughter, Darlene. His most current work was inspired by a trip to Paris in 2005.
Steve Griffin has been a painter for over fifty years. In 1968 he was one of twelve undergraduate students, selected from a national pool, to attend the first year of the newly created Independent Study Program at the Whitney Museum in New York City. Since retiring from teaching in the Art Department at the University of Mary Washington in 2008, Griffin has continued to be an active exhibiting artist. He received a Professional Fellowship in painting from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 2012 and a fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in 2013. Griffin has also been awarded three residency fellowships at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Griffin’s work hangs in many private and corporate collections and is represented by several galleries including the Glave Kocen Gallery in Richmond and the Long View Gallery in Washington, DC.
Celeste Johnston
On going education
- US Botanical gardens
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
- Corcoran College at GW University
- Studies Abroad Master classes in Italy, Scotland and Portugal
Work History
- Kenmore
- James Monroe Library
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, (past)
- Westmoreland County Museum
- Tappahannock Art Gallery
- Virginia Museum of Fine Art ( currently)
Associations
- 1st President of 5 Rivers Spinners and Weavers
- Century Gallery
- Craft director, Metropolitan Richmond Artist Ass. exhibitions chair
- Founding member of Central Va Botanical Artists
- Council Member VMFA
- Board member Westmoreland Museum
- Westmoreland Garden Club Exhibits Chair
Janice Jones—Even though I have tried almost every art form, I did not start painting on canvas and paper until I moved to Mexico. There I discovered Javier Ramos (The Maestro) – an amazing teacher who I continue to study with each time I return there. When I returned to the US, I traveled far and wide to continue my studies with teachers such as Karlyn Holman, Gerald Brommer, Don Andrews, Tom Lynch, David Kessler, Sterling Edwards, Betsy Kellum, Sheryl Williams, Pat Troiani, and many others. I still study as much as possible, albeit almost always online at this time. Most recently I have been working in acrylics which are about the only medium I hadn’t tried. I like it because it, to me, increases my opportunities to create multi-media paintings – which I am really beginning to love.
My work has been shown in Maryland and Virginia and has won many honors from Best in Show to Honorable Mention. My most recent adventure has to open The Arts Center of Montross which will provide classes, workshops, and many special events in this area.
Anne McCahill
Wendy Young
