An Artist’s Swan Song

Jacqueline Carter Alexander

By collette caprara

street scenes that capture the liveliness of New Orleans.

An outgoing and engaging person, Jacqueline elicited numerous requests for commissioned paintings of family homes. Doors literally began opening for this talented artist when she began knocking on them. Yes, she went door to doorin Virginia and abroad-toting a sampling of her prints and paintings with her. "That just came natural to her. She was excited about her work and she knew how to sell it. She was vivacious and very, very friendly. She loved people and had a heart of gold," said "G". "She was a striking figure with beauty that reminded me of Elizabeth Taylor, and she dressed accordingly. Wherever she went, people would just stop and look at her."

Jacqueline, who was born in 1931 and turned 93 this summer, put her paintbrushes away several years ago. With a substantial inventory of her works in storage, "G" has offered to arrange for the public to have one final opportunity to have one of her paintings in their homes. He will be coordinating two exhibits in Fredericksburg this summer.

Beverley Coates, a fellow water-colorist who first met Jacqueline when they both served as teachers in Spotsylvania, has offered to host an exhibit of her works at the 810 Weekend Gallery on Caroline Street. In addition, a friend has offered the basement of his business in Fredericksburg as a venue for the exhibit and sale of any remaining artwork.

Though producing dual exhibits requires much investment in planning, transporting works, and hanging the displays, for "G" it is all truly a labor of love. One memory that has stayed with him through life is his first day of school as a little boy when he missed the bus back home but was rescued by Jacqueline who hopped in the car and fetched him.

Throughout the years, their relationship has been one of support, care, and concern for one another.

Collette Caprara is a writer, artist & lover of all of life's blessings

Jaqueline C Alexander's "Swan Song" Exhibits

Throughout August and September, FriSun 810 Weekend Gallery 810 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, 22401 facebook.com/810WeekendGallery/ CTSG Building 205 Wallace Lane, Fredericksburg 22408 Saturday August 26, 10 am-4 4 pm and Sunday, Aug 27, 1 pm to 4 pm