Welcome to the Spice Girls of Contemporary American Art

Grace: the act of moving and doing with ease; the lack of strife in action; a wondrous way of being. It is a Native American belief that the swan is the creature that is present to teach us grace. To be able to live with ease
and experience the joy and goodness of life, to accept that we are all here to learn, and to give back to the world we live in.

Gazing upon the artwork of the Five Graces -- Debbie Grayson Lincoln, Laurie Justus Pace, Conni Toegel, Diane Whitehead and Mary Joe Zorad -- one immediately sees the wonder, the movement, the flow and grace of the finished piece.

These five women share as many similarities as they do differences. Their artwork demonstrates a common credibility and commitment to a high standard of workmanship. To speak with any one of the five women reveals a commonality in what inspires them and how they choose to live their lives, with integrity and a commitment to doing their work for a higher cause. Each feels her creative inspiration as a passionate and natural calling.

From strikingly diverse backgrounds -- as a daughter of German immigrants, as a Missouri transplantee, from Texas to Indiana -- these talented and acclaimed women reached across the country to come together, to offer the world an opportunity to experience the joy of what they create. There is no shortage of accomplishments among this group of women. An American President and music producer Quincy Jones are among the many who have artwork from this group in their private collections. This group of artists has been published in several national and international magazines, and their work is found in galleries and collections around the world.

The artwork takes form in many different mediums and styles, but never fails to embody a common element. Whether it's a watercolor or an oil painting, a French landscape evolving or a horse taking form, the existence of "goodness" is always present in the finished piece of artwork.

Think of these artists, then, as swans, as harbingers of that goodness. For that is what these five uncommon women have in common: the grace to bring their gift to the world with ease and to offer it simply for what it is -- the opportunity to experience the purest form of "joy."


Shows

Earth Works Art Gallery in Penn Yan, New York
July 1st through July 31st.

Belhurst Castle Geneva, New York
August 2nd through August 31st


FAQ

Who are The Five Graces?
Debbie Grayson Lincoln (the steady grace), Laurie Pace (the heartbeat grace), Conni Toegel (the wired grace), Diane Whitehead (the business-minded, directly spoken grace) and Mary Jo Zorad (the quietly inspired grace) have as many similarities as they do differences.

Their artwork demonstrates a common commitment to a high standard of workmanship. To speak with any one of the five women reveals a commonality in what inspires them and how they choose to live their lives, with integrity and a commitment to doing their work for a higher cause. Each feels her creative inspiration as a passionate and natural calling.

The Five Graces are known as the Spice Girls of Art. Five women from different states form an art revolution. They are brought together for a reason: The Five Graces will bring Spiritual Girl Power to the world. And the revolution starts in Penn Yan and Geneva...

What makes The Five Graces special/unique?
All members of The Five Graces create bold, vividly-colored artworks with an inspirational flair. Several of the group are excellent teachers and writers. They work energetically toward touring exhibitions that showcased their artworks - shows to the US and to Europe. As of today, all five artists are spread out over the US and have never met in person.

Where did the idea originate from?
The extraordinary group was inspired by the "The Group of Seven". The Group of Seven were Canadian landscape artists inspired by the wilderness paintings of Tom Thomson.

How were these five women chosen?
Since the Five Graces believe the commonality that brought them together was spiritual, it really is from this higher power out of which their commitment to honor integrity with in their profession comes.

What events are planned for time the artists are together in New York?
They are currently coordinating all the events. They plan to be giving radio and television interviews, teach master art classes, and they will paint day and night. They are also working on a secret special event. Clues and invitations to this special event will be available to visitors of their show. They will visit also Belhurst Castle to prepare for the second opening in early August.

Do the Five Graces sell their art also on eBay?

Yes and no. It depends on date and time. Most of their paintings are sold direct to galleries and customers. Here are the links to the eBay stores to each of the graces ...

Debbie Lincoln
Laurie Pace
Conni Tögel
Diane Whitehead
Mary Jo Zorad