Audrey Wright lived her childhood years, experiencing what she paints today. Her parents lived on Sloot Creek off Mobjack Bay, Mathews County, Virginia, where she learned about crabs, fish, oysters, clams and other critters that live in the local bays and creeks. Nor did Wright fail to watch the Blue Heron, Osprey and other birds that hover near the water to build their nests or add to last year’s habitat. She had only a few miles to travel to catch a view of New Point Comfort Light House.

     As a child, Wright drew pictures, nothing spectacular, but for her own pleasure. The Christmas that she was 12 years old her grandmother gave her a set of oil paints. But Wright didn’t know you could mix them to enhance colors or a lot of other things about doing a professional piece of art. Yet she piddled with drawings—none that she would want you to see today.

     With marriage and responsibility of a family, art work, though still an interest, took a back seat in her life. When the children went away to school, she prayed, “Lord, all my family is gone, what can I do that’s all me?”
Her husband, who we know as Hank, began to teach classes at Rappahannock Community College, with some night classes, that same September. She told him he’d have a long ride alone in the dark. He replied, 

     “No, I’ll have company one night every week.”

     “You are sharing a ride with someone?” Audrey questioned.

     “No, I’ve enrolled you in an art class.”

     Audrey delighted to find that her art instructor from Hampton, Virginia, taught to paint objects realistic, the way she wanted to and enjoyed painting. She got serious about the work that expressed who she was. In short time Wright’s paintings created interest among potential buyers. She painted objects as they saw them, and it kept memories of a vacation or trip to see the family alive in their minds all year.

     Wright saw the New Point Comfort Light House during a terrible storm, behind it she visualized an angel guarding the historical site. She felt urged to paint the scene as it appeared to her, but she has trouble painting faces. She told the Lord if He wanted her to paint the angel, He’d have to guide her hand in painting the face. And that is just what happened with the painting a success.

     Wright’s husband began framing her work from its origin. Later she began to have prints lithographed from her paintings. Hank quickly learned to properly cut mats to give extra character and size to the prints. Recently, Wright has been having prints made by the giclée method. These are long lasting with compatibility’s to oil paintings. Some of the prints look like they are on canvas.

     Once or twice a month, the Wrights pack the van with framed and unframed items and head for a show. They go as far north as Ocean City, Maryland, and as far south as the Outer Banks, North Carolina, not forgetting to touch Harve de Grace, Maryland, on the western side of Chesapeake Bay.

     Wright spoke highly of the other artists in Mathews. She said they don’t compete but contribute in any area the other needs help. She speaks of this relationship as a real blessing.

     Wright’s work is available at Mag The Gallery on Main Street, Mathews, at Hang Ups, Kilmarnock, Virginia and Mo Stuff, Bena, Gloucester County. If you don’t find what you want on display, call Wright at 804-725-7266 or leave a message for her to contact you at Mag The Gallery 804-725-3326. It’s possible she has it. 

© 2001 Catherine C. Brooks All Rights Reserved