Tea at Trianon: Working Artists of the Eastern Shore

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Over the summer on Maryland's Eastern Shore I have been to some local art shows as well as Gallery Walks, now held on the first Saturday of every month. I want to share some of the painters and craftsmen I have discovered.


"The Landing" by Margery Caggiano (The Cottage Gallery)

"Little Yellow Sailboat" by Carla Huber (Cottage Gallery)

"Frames of Reference" (tapestry) by Ulrika Leander (Cottage Gallery)

Ulrika has her own gallery in Bellevue, Maryland and I was honored to attend a reception there earlier this summer. There was a magnificent buffet of cheeses near Ulrika's huge loom which she uses to weave tapestries. There were many Swedish artists and artisans present, including a lady who crafted silver jewelry based upon Viking designs.

"Waiting" by Barbara MacInnes

Barbara MacInnes is a personal friend and versatile artist, constantly honing her craft by taking lessons with professionals. I saw this painting at her home when she was still working on it. It has now been chosen as one of the Arts in Easton banner paintings.

"Pub News" by Rita Curtis

I saw Rita Curtis' fabulous paintings at the Oxford Fine Arts Festival in May. It was a lovely event in beautiful Oxford, MD; strawberries and cream were served with tea in a pavilion on the lawn. Rita and I discussed the painting above which reminds me of the work of one of the Dutch masters. Rita was classically trained so it is not surprising.

"Untitled" by Betty Huang (Studio B)

At the latest Gallery Walk in Easton, my friend Barbara MacInnes took me to Studio B where I met artist Betty Huang. Betty's amazing work is worth exploring. And she is a charming hostess as well! Share