FENWICK ISLAND – Fans of popular Maryland artist Linda Roberts will have a chance to meet the painter during a special event in Fenwick Island.
On Aug. 2, 3 and 4, Carolina Street Garden and Home will host Roberts and feature a number of her beach-themed paintings. Paul Phillips, who runs the store with his wife Dee Dee, says Roberts’ work is always a big seller in Carolina Street Garden and Home.
“Linda Roberts has a huge following here,” Phillips said.
Two examples of Linda Roberts’ paintings are pictured. Roberts will be featured at Fenwick Island’s Carolina Street Garden and Home Aug. 2-4. File Photos
Phillips said he and his wife have hosted other artists throughout the years and have found that customers enjoy meeting the people who create the art they use to decorate their homes. Because Roberts’ paintings of the beach are popular in the resort area, Phillips decided an exhibit of her work this summer would be well received. Though the shop always has some of her paintings available for sale, Roberts will bring more for her visit. Many of the paintings — which range from framed originals to giclee prints — will consist of beach scenes from Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island.
“We’ll have extra work on display,” Phillips said, adding that he expected Roberts to be in the shop each afternoon Aug. 2-4.
Roberts, a native of Washington D.C., started painting in watercolor in
1975. While her early work depicted winter snow and skiing scenes, in recent years she’s taken to focusing on the beach. With watercolors she’s recreated favorite stretches of beach, bushels of crabs, seashells and boats. Phillips says what makes people love her work is that fact that it evokes the same feelings a visit to the beach does.
“It reminds them of times that are happy,” he said. “When people come to the beach, they’re happy. Her work can touch someone’s soul. That’s what art is about.”
Roberts is one of several artists whose work is sold in the Fenwick home decoration and furniture store. What all of the store’s artists have in common, Phillips said, is the quality of their pieces. He said the store’s featured artists were chosen not because they fit the latest trend but because of the level of their work.
“We want to have wonderful, quality things that people can afford,” he said.
Carolina Street Garden and Home, located on South Carolina Street in Fenwick, has been selling furniture and home décor at the beach since 1992. The business suffered during the country’s recession and through a change of location but continues to be a key member of the local business scene. In an effort to bolster sales, the shop is working on an expanded website, www.carolinastreet.com.
“The absolute worst part of having a business like ours in a deep recession is the loss of artistic people who used to provide us with their wonderful stuff to sell,” Phillips said. “So we morph daily to keep making our store a destination that you would want to visit.”
Nevertheless, the Phillips have enjoyed building their independent business they started more than two decades ago.
“It has been an interesting journey these last 23 years,” he said.