4hand-arts

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4hand-arts

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Original Oil Paintings Inspired by Place, Light, and Memory

Welcome to 4hand-arts's official website, a showcase of oil, acrylic and m paintings inspired by Virginia's rivers, South Carolina's coast, and Provence's vibrant landscapes. Explore original artworks rooted in memory, place, and light, perfect for art collectors and enthusiasts seeking meaningful work that tells a sto

About

Identity

I am a Virginia-based artist creating expressive oil paintings inspired by place, memory, history, and the natural world. My work is rooted in the landscapes of Central Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and other places that hold personal meaning. I am especially drawn to scenes where light, color, and his

I am a Virginia-based artist creating expressive oil paintings inspired by place, memory, history, and the natural world. My work is rooted in the landscapes of Central Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and other places that hold personal meaning. I am especially drawn to scenes where light, color, and history come together, such as live oaks draped in Spanish moss, mountain views, rivers, gardens, historic sites, and quiet coastal landscapes.

My paintings often begin with observation, whether through plein air painting, travel, sketches, or photographs gathered along the way. In the studio, I use layered color, loose brushwork, and expressive marks to capture not only what a place looks like, but how it feels. I am interested in the emotional connection people have to landscapes and the way certain places can hold memory, beauty, and a sense of belonging.

Through 4hand-arts, I hope to create paintings that feel joyful, meaningful, and connected to the stories of place. Each work is an invitation to pause, remember, and experience the landscape in a personal way.

Spring Plein Air Adventures

This spring, my plein air practice has taken me from the rolling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the gardens, oaks, and coastal landscape of Brookgreen Gardens with the Brookgreen Gardens Plein Air Society. These outings have offered a chance to paint directly from life, responding to shifting light, seasonal color, and the feeling o

This spring, my plein air practice has taken me from the rolling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the gardens, oaks, and coastal landscape of Brookgreen Gardens with the Brookgreen Gardens Plein Air Society. These outings have offered a chance to paint directly from life, responding to shifting light, seasonal color, and the feeling of each place in the moment.

Works from these spring adventures include field studies, small plein air paintings, and pieces that may inspire larger studio work. Together, they reflect the joy of painting outdoors and the connection between landscape, memory, and place.

Perspective Gallery

Collaborative Art Studio

Collaborative Art Studio

I'm honored to share that a selection of my oil paintings will be on view at Perspective Art Gallery 

This exhibition features recent works inspired by the Southern coastal landscape—quiet moments along working docks, enduring live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and scenes shaped by light, memory, and place. Painted both en plein air and in 

I'm honored to share that a selection of my oil paintings will be on view at Perspective Art Gallery 

This exhibition features recent works inspired by the Southern coastal landscape—quiet moments along working docks, enduring live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and scenes shaped by light, memory, and place. Painted both en plein air and in the studio, these pieces reflect my ongoing exploration of stillness, time, and connection to the Lowcountry.

📍 Perspective Art Gallery

1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC

For more information about the gallery, visit
👉 https://www.perspectiveartgallery.com/

Call: (843)800-5025

https://www.facebook.com/mpagperspectivegallery/

https://www.instagram.com/perspectivefineartgallery/


Collaborative Art Studio

Collaborative Art Studio

Collaborative Art Studio

Located in Downtown Lynchburg Arts District, on the second floor of Riverviews Artspace, 901 Jefferson Street, Studio 214 is a shared creative workspace where artists Rodney Laughon, Melissa Johnson, Brooke Marcy, and Kasey Forehand work alongside one another in an open and inspiring studio environment. Surrounded by natural light, expose

Located in Downtown Lynchburg Arts District, on the second floor of Riverviews Artspace, 901 Jefferson Street, Studio 214 is a shared creative workspace where artists Rodney Laughon, Melissa Johnson, Brooke Marcy, and Kasey Forehand work alongside one another in an open and inspiring studio environment. Surrounded by natural light, exposed brick, and the energy of ongoing artistic practice, the studio serves as both a working space and a place for conversation, experimentation, and creative exchange.

Visitors can explore paintings, works in progress, and the individual styles of each artist while experiencing the atmosphere of a functioning collaborative studio inside one of Lynchburg’s historic art spaces. Studio 214 reflects a shared commitment to creativity, community, and the continued growth of contemporary art in Central Virginia.

Open by appointment.

Adventures in Plein Air

Painted on location in the butterfly garden at Old City Cemetery, this piece captures the quiet atmosphere of the historic grounds through shifting sunlight, reflective water, and loose expressive brushwork. The stone fountain and surrounding plant life create a peaceful scene that invites stillness and observation while celebrating the beauty found in Lynchburg’s historic landscape.

Beneath the Weeping Willow
En Plein Air — Butterfly Garden, Old City Cemetery
Oil 
9"x12"
$525

Painted on location beneath the live oaks of All Saints Church, this piece captures the quiet beauty of Spanish moss drifting through warm spring light. Loose brushwork and layered greens create a sense of movement and atmosphere, while the vibrant flowers beneath the trees bring warmth and life to the historic landscape.

Whispers Beneath the Oaks
En Plein Air — All Saints Church, Waccamaw, SC
Oil on Canvas
9"x12"
$525

Painted outdoors among the gardens at Old City Cemetery, this close-up study celebrates the movement and color of blooming irises. Flowing stems and bold violet tones create a lively composition that reflects both the elegance and spontaneity of painting directly from nature.

Irises in Bloom
En Plein Air — Old City Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia
Oil on canvas
8"x10"
$425

This painting of Sharptop Mountain explores the shifting light and color of the Blue Ridge landscape. Reflections across the water and expressive marks in the trees emphasize the rhythm and energy of the scene, balancing the mountain’s solid form with the softness of the surrounding atmosphere.

Sharptop Reflections
En Plein Air — Blue Ridge Mountains, VA
Oil on canvas
8"x10"
$425

Created in the studio after a spring sunrise study painted en plein air at Brookgreen Gardens, this piece captures the playful spirit of the otter sculpture as it emerges in the early morning light. Warm reflections ripple across the water while the surrounding trees glow with the soft colors of dawn. Balancing observation with imagination, the painting celebrates both the energy of the sculpture and the peaceful atmosphere of the gardens before the day begins.

Morning Mischief at Brookgreen
Studio Painting —  Plein Air Study 
Oil 
18"24"
$1500

Coastal ColLection

This painting captures a quiet moment within the marsh as a mother spoonbill watches over her nest of young chicks. Soft pink feathers glow against the surrounding greens and earth tones, drawing attention to the tenderness and protection found in the scene. Layered brushwork and expressive color create a sense of warmth and movement, celebrating the beauty of coastal wildlife and the fragile stillness of life within the marsh.

Marsh Nursery
Studio Painting — Roseate Spoonbill and Nest
Oil 
18"x24"
$1500

What the Live Oak Knows is an original 30 × 40 inch oil painting on canvas inspired by the timeless presence of live oaks in the Lowcountry. Draped in Spanish moss and bathed in soft, filtered light, the tree stands as a symbol of endurance, memory, and place. Loose, layered brushwork and a cool, luminous palette create a sense of movement and calm, making this piece a strong anchor for any space.

Shrimp Boats at Dock is an original 11 × 14 inch oil painting on canvas depicting working shrimp boats at rest along the coast. Painted with expressive brushwork and a luminous, pastel palette, the piece reflects the quiet rhythm of maritime life and the beauty found in moments of pause. This small-scale work invites close viewing and offers a timeless coastal presence.

Shrimp Boats at Dock
Oil on canvas
11 × 14 in
$700
Contact: 4handarts@gmail.com

Swing Beneath the Oak is an original 9 × 12 inch oil painting on canvas, painted en plein air in Awendaw, South Carolina, depicting a solitary swing beneath an old oak overlooking the intracoastal water. Soft light and natural greens create a contemplative atmosphere, evoking nostalgia and the gentle joy of quiet moments by the shore. This piece offers a sense of calm and intimacy, perfect for a reflective space.

Swing Beneath the Oak
Oil on canvas
9 × 12 in
$500
Contact: 4handarts@gmail.com

This vibrant studio painting was inspired by the coastal charm of South Carolina and created after the plein-air workshop with artist Mary Hoffman. Its expressive brushstrokes and lively color palette—pink, coral, and sea-green—capture the rhythm of the tide and the shimmer of freshly caught fish, reflecting both the energy of the coast and the joy of painting from memory.

Catch of the day
Oil on canvas
6"x6" 
$125 (framed)
Contact me @ 4handarts@gmail.com

Painted en plein air in Awendaw, South Carolina, along the Intracoastal Waterway during an artist retreat with painter Mary Hoffman. Love for the Lowcountry’s majestic live oak tree is shown here. Their twisting forms and symbolize strength, endurance, and quiet grace. In this composition, the great oak anchors the scene as its limbs reach toward a sunlit dock stretching into calm tidal waters. both the resilience and tranquility of this coastal landscape.

Under the Live Oak
Oil on linen canvas
11 x 14 inches
Original SOLD
11"x14" Limited Ed. Prints: $150
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Available Original Works & Prints

Passing Through
Oil on canvas

16"x20"
$700

Conversations with van Gogh & Cezzane

Oil on canvas

16"x20"

$700

Brine & Gin 

Oil on canvas 

12"x16"

$500


Quiet Bend 

Oil on canvas

9"x12"

$350

Autumn Current Along the Murray
Oil on canvas, en plein air

12" x 16"
$500

Toward the Water
Oil on canvas

9"x12"
$350

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"Love Letter to Provence": Works Created Spring 2025

Painted en plein air in the warmth of the Provençal sun, this work captures a charming garden shed framed by vibrant greenery and blossoms. The golden-orange walls glow against the cool blue of the door, while loose, lively brushstrokes convey the dappled light filtering through surrounding trees. Pots of red flowers spill over with color, adding to the sense of summer abundance in this peaceful garden corner.

A serene landscape featuring a sunset over mountains and a calm lake, with vibrant colors reflecting on the water.

Painted en plein air, this vibrant scene captures the colorful abundance of Caroline’s Garden in the heart of Provence. A sunlit path winds between blooming borders of irises, oleander, and spring flowers, leading the viewer deeper into the lush landscape. Loose, expressive brushstrokes and a joyful palette of pinks, purples, greens, and golds convey the warmth of the Mediterranean light and the serenity of a garden in full bloom.

A scenic view of mountains under a clear blue sky, with lush green trees in the foreground.

A market in Aix-en-Provence shaded by a deep green scalloped awning, the stand overflows with fresh produce and flowers. Rich purple grapes, leafy greens, bright red tomatoes, and bunches of yellow blooms spill across the table.  A yellow tablecloth, patterned with quick golden strokes echoes the Provençal sun. Distant trees dappled in green trees rise against a soft, airy backdrop, their loose brushstrokes conveying the movement of leaves in a gentle breeze. 

A serene landscape featuring a sunset over a calm lake surrounded by lush greenery.

Painted on location in Cassis, "Seaside Revival" captures a quiet moment along the Mediterranean coast. A fishing boat rests on a trailer in the foreground, temporarily withdrawn from the sea for repairs. Behind it, rows of lively restaurants and shops line the waterfront, buzzing with visitors who come to enjoy the color, culture, and coastal charm of Cassis. Through bold brushstrokes and rich color, the painting evokes the dynamic rhythm of everyday life in this picturesque harbor town.

A vibrant sunset over a calm sea, with silhouettes of palm trees in the foreground.

The painting captures the charm of Cassis’ waterfront. Pastel-toned buildings with colorful shutters rise against blue sky. The facades of yellows and pinks are accented by red and blue awnings shading bustling cafés along the quay. A white sailboat with red and blue trim rests gently in the turquoise water, its mast draws the eye up toward the sunlit architecture. Loose brushstrokes convey the warmth and movement of a Mediterranean day, evoking the leisurely of life in this picturesque town.

A serene landscape featuring a sunset over rolling hills and a calm lake, reflecting vivid colors.

Painted en plein air during a workshop in Aix-en-Provence with artist Jill Steenhuis, the work a quiet, sunlit moment at Jill’s home. Her beloved horse Danilo grazes beneath olive trees and spring blossoms. Expressive brushwork and earthy tones reflect the warmth and serenity of rural life in southern France. Danilo passed away on July 19, 2025. I feel deeply honored to have met Danilo and to have witnessed his quiet strength and grace. This work stands as a tribute to his memory. 

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Commissions

Commission Work

Art should feel like it belongs to you. That’s why I love making original pieces that speak to your style and your story. Maybe it’s your pet’s quirky charm, a moment you want to remember forever, or just that one perfect color that makes your space come alive—I’m here to make it happen. Let’s create something that makes you smile every time you see it.
Drop me a note: 4handarts@gmail.com

I would love to hear from you!

At 4hand-arts, every piece is designed to inspire and transform. Browse the collection to find artwork that resonates with your style, or envision a custom commission that captures your story in color and texture. For purchase details or to begin your own commission, reach out today at 4handarts@gmail.com

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