Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove NJ Canvas Print

This is the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ, as the summer season of services and programs begins. It was built in 1894 and religious services have been held in it every summer since. It is part of the 19th century camp meeting revival tradition that sprang to life right after the Civil War, when people were hungry for a renewed spiritual focus to life. All are still welcome to enjoy "spiritual birth, growth, and renewal in a Christian seaside setting."

I was born in Los Angeles and grew up mainly in Seattle, Washington, both seacoast cities. When I was nine I first heard of the issue What will you be when you grow up? As soon as I heard that one of the choices was Artist, I knew yes, that was it. Perfect--I was already making art! I got a degree in painting from the University of Washington, Seattle, and later went to study in New York. I went to the Art Students League and was a scholarship student at the National Academy School of Fine Arts. Then life happened; I sold some paintings, and I did many different things. In 2003 I came to stay for a while at the Jersey shore. I went to the beach every day. I have always loved the ocean; I thought what a lovely idea it would be to paint...