Guess the Artist | Detroit Institute of Arts!

Historical painting, children getting ready for school, parents, dog
Image taken at Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) July 15, 2025

Well, “SNAP” as they say. Usually when I feature a Guess the Artist post, I like to give a little background on the painting or the artist (ideally, both!) – however, this painting must have been moved from the DIA (or is just not showing up at the moment on their website). This painting reminded me of kids getting ready for the first day of school, a little timely I suppose. Kids have already gone back to school in most SC schools, but this could still be relevant to some of you!

Do you have an idea who the artist is? Look no further… see below!

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Featured Artist: Alan Phillips!

bright blue sky, magnolia tree with blooms and two large pink birds.
Joyful Expressions by Alan Phillips | Oil on Canvas | 48″ x 60″ x 1.5″

Isn’t this painting, Joyful Expressions, a delight? Full of whimsy, beautiful color, nature and all things delightful. This painting is a big one – what a statement it will make! Statement pieces are nice, they can take a room from nice to over the top “WOW” as soon as the painting is hung. This artist is a good one to follow, both for his paintings as well as his love of good food and cooking!

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James Richards Workshops – Learn How to Capture the Light!

oil painting by Jim Richards, piano, cat with light hitting, window with curtains and light, interior oil painting
Feline Sonata by James Richards | 12″x16″ Oil

There are two (highly coveted) workshops coming soon with artist James Richards. Just watching Jim paint, you will feel so inspired. Even if you don’t paint, you’ll want to. His technique is mesmerizing. On top of being uber talented, he’s a super nice guy to boot, so you’ll have a good time. #nostressworkshop

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Featured Artist: Lorenzo Chavez!

Landscape painting, path, brush, trees, mountains, pastel, Lorenzo Chavez artist
The Days Ahead by Lorenzo Chavez 18″ x 24″ Pastel

Lorenzo Chavez – a fabulous artist. You may have read about him in one of the many art magazines including (but not limited to), Plein Air, Southwest Art, Artists Magazine, American Art Review, etc. Lorenzo also teaches workshops, so if you’re wanting to perfect/learn he would be a great one to take a workshop from. More info below!

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Featured Artist: Mary Pettis!

A Storytelling of Crows by Mary Pettis 16″x24″ Oil/Linen

Mary Pettis. She’s a fabulous artist and workshop instructor. Her work is breathtaking, she paints both plein air (outdoors) and in the studio. Just look at the breathtaking light in this scene. The fabulous tree that look like they’ve been there for so long, the fence and of course the crows. Isn’t this a striking painting?

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Featured Artist: Hank Buffington!

oil painting, hank buffington, water, sun, rocky coast, sky, Sachuest
Sachuest Sunrise by Hank Buffington 24×36″ Oil/Canvas

Hank Buffington – a fabulous artist with a great sense of humor. His paintings reflect the beauty found in nature & life. Sachuest Sunrise (above) is a particularly difficult one to paint (to me), so many similar colors – you really have to know what you’re doing. I love the light on the water, the rocks and sense of distance and the sky which makes the water feel as if it goes on forever.

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The Periwinkle by Joseph Fidler

watercolor painting, painting of a cottage with cedar shakes, dormer with six small windows, fireplace, large door, many trees, rocks in the foreground
The Periwinkle 2009 by dad (Joseph Fidler)

I’m sure i’ve posted this painting in years past. But to go through 13+ years of posts (the first ten years daily) seemed a bit daunting. I was thrilled to find this tucked in one of our cherished books. It’s actually a card (I’ve saved every one he’s sent).

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Featured Artist: William Jameson!

Appalachian Winter by William Jameson | 36″ x 36″ | Oil on Panel

Isn’t this painting fabulous? It captures a scene in North Carolina so perfectly. The stream leads your eye to the fabulous trees in the distance which then goes on to that little spot of orange brilliance behind the tree towards the top and on to the dark limbs of the evergreen trees. This painting is so lovely you just don’t want to look away.

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Featured Artist: Alan Phillips + Upcoming Sale!

Painting by Alan Phillips

I LOVE this painting. It’s perfectly spectacular, just look at the movement! Can you not feel the sand between your toes? Hear the call of the ocean? Feel the sun so strongly almost lulling you into a wonderful zen type calmness? The foam, the tufts of water high in the air, the horizon with the pinks and blues against the wonderful green in the water. The sun poking through the water brilliantly. WOW. So much feeling in one painting. AND guess what – it, along with 34 other paintings will be on sale on 11/1 – Here are the details…

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CHICKEN HUMMUS PITA inspired by Eating Well

First pictured as written in Eating Well. Second image in a pita. Same ingredients can be used. In the pita for this version I did not use chicken. The pita is still full of protein and veggies, so as a quick lunch this is the best! This is so similar to something we’ve been eating for the last few years now. At least one meal/day seems to be filled with hummus/pita/veggies. When I do add chicken to the mix, I usually just use olive oil/S&P. The additional spices in the Eating Well recipe were nice as was the lemon. This recipe is bursting with flavor as well as numerous health benefits. (Recipe link below) – I always make a recipe the first time as written and another time or two before writing my Sticky Note version with the changes I made and ways to simplify the process. They will be strikingly similar, either way, you can’t lose. Absolute heaven in each bite – you will long for this day after day. Trust me.

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In Memory: Artist Carol Bass 🕊️

Morning Conversation by Carol Bass 60 x 60″ Oil on Board | 2014

Morning Conversation is our painting by artist, Carol Bass. Carol was a legend, everyone loved her. She was talented beyond belief – the energy that this painting has is unbelievable. The colors, textures, shapes (not to mention the size!) are all spectacular!

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Featured Artist: Mariella Bisson Exhibition!

Silver Spray Falls by Mariella Bisson 54″ X 60″ Acrylic/Mixed Media

Mariella Bisson. Her paintings are a delight to the senses. Her waterfall paintings provide a sense of calm and hung in any room create a zen-like atmosphere, perfect for relaxing. You can almost hear the waterfall can’t you? Read on for the exhibition info…

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Artist: John Matthew Moore!

Charlie by John Matthew Moore

It’s hard to imagine how some artists are able to capture the little things about an animal without ever meeting them. Charlie had a funny sit, we called it his “old man sit”. He would sit like this when very relaxed. This is one of the treasured pieces we have of Charlie. We always have our eye on him…

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ARTIST: Judy Joy Nocifora!

“Stink Eye (Charlie)” by Judy Joy Nocifora

What a wonderful painting, right? How are some artists able to pick up on the little things that make our creatures come alive in a painting? Especially without ever meeting the animal. The funny little sit that he had at times and this look, the “stink eye” look he often gave. It meant “now!” (In terms of carrot treats, cucumber treats, breakfast/lunch/dinner, evening walk, etc.).

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