GreatGreat FallsFalls Classifieds, Page 18 Classifieds, ❖ Sports, Page 17 ❖ Adrienne Kralick demon- strates portrait painting technique of John Singer Sargent in a recent workshop. The twelve artists of Artists on the Green have been busy Entertainment, Page 14 ❖ creating collectible pieces of art for the upcoming Great Falls Holiday Fest, Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6. Opinion, Page 8 Artists on the Green To Host Open House News, Page 3 Sharing Season of Giving, Page 10 Creating Families with Adoption News, Page 16 Photo by Gail Péan www.ConnectionNewspapers.comNovember 25 - December 1, 2015 Great online Falls Connection at www.connectionnewspapers.com ❖ November 25 - December 1, 2015 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ November 25 - December 1, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Great Falls Author Paints a Powerful Portrait It was DaVinci’s portrait of Ginevra, Elliott Laura Elliott launches explains, which broke new ground and set the art world on its ear by depicting a her newest novel, woman looking straight ahead, her gaze direct, wearing a relatively unadorned gown ‘DaVinci’s Tiger.’ and a solid facial expression – a bold and deliberate decision that firmly established By Kristin Clark Taylor the masterful painter as a force of artistic For The Connection honesty and change. But this beautiful portrait also broke other t began about twenty years ago with new ground: In those times, women were a single question. Award-winning looked upon as talentless, voiceless, deli- Iauthor Laura Elliott says the idea for cately domestic creatures, so submissive her newest novel was first ignited that they could not even pose for a portrait when her daughter Megan, then a small girl, without assuming an indirect, silhouetted walked into the room one morning and position. asked her mother, “Did you know that the That de’ Benci posed so boldly was one only Leonardo in all of the Americas is right thing. But that she was also a high-spirited, here in Washington, D.C.?” free-thinking, highly talented poet was What came next was not a question but something else altogether. an urgent demand; a daughterly directive: Elliott describes how the beautiful de’ “We’ve got to go see it. Today.” Benci, trapped in an arranged marriage and Elliott not only listened that morning, but forced to limit her creativity to domestic she obeyed, and a few hours later they duties, fell in love with the artist as he found themselves standing in the National Photo by Mary Noble Ours painted her portrait. And although the mu- Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., totally Laura Elliott behind the portrait. tual admiration ultimately ended in heart- transfixed by the real-life vision in front of It still is. break, de ‘Benci’s story is inspirational be- them: the first portrait ever painted by this singular, seminal portrait and tells the In the novel, much of it based on real-life cause it shows how she defied convention Leonardo DaVinci. Both mother and daugh- story of the intimate, unfolding relationship events from that rich period, Elliott offers during the Renaissance. ter were mesmerized. between the master and his muse. up a vivid backdrop of Renaissance Flo- They knew that they were gazing upon Using the National Gallery as the sym- rence, complete with passion, exquisite art, THE ACCOLADES for “DaVinci’s Tiger” the only DaVinci portrait to hang in a U.S. bolic backdrop to launch her exciting new elaborate feasts, jousting, and finally, a love are already flowing in fast and strong: museum, and it took their breath away. The novel, Elliott, a long-time resident of Great that defies categorization. Elizabeth Wren, New York Times best-sell- portrait itself depicts the young and beau- Falls, recently stood before a standing- Painstakingly researched (Elliott traveled ing author of “Code Name Verity,” describes tiful Ginevra de’ Benci, the wealthy, witty room-only audience in the famed hall to to Florence twice and spent years poring the new novel as, “an exquisitely detailed daughter of a prominent Florence family discuss her work. Her daughter Megan, now over almost every last detail of Ginevra de’ story of the passionate relationship between who posed for DaVinci in his early years a 26-year-old theater artist, served as re- Benci’s life), the New York Times best-sell- artist and muse. Beautifully painted.” and who served as the masterful artist’s first searcher for the book and also fielded ques- ing author weaves a story about this Esther Eacho, an educator and avid muse. tions from the audience at the end of the ground-breaking portrait and all of the fury reader, said “Laura’s skill at bringing the event. and passion that surrounded it. subject to life is remarkable. Not only will FLASH FORWARD about twenty years, to Clearly, Elliott has come full circle — from “The portrait itself was revolutionary,” she the reader learn about DaVinci, but they will today, as mother and daughter stand again that first moment when she laid eyes on the says in a quiet voice filled with respect and better understand 15th-century life from a in the National Gallery of Art – but this time, portrait a few decades ago, to today, as the awe, “because before this, women were al- young woman’s point of view.” to discuss and celebrate the publication of best-selling author of a book on the same ways depicted by artists as bejeweled, ex- Community is important to Elliott. She Elliott’s newest novel, “DaVinci’s Tiger,” a subject. And it was not just the powerful quisite objects, always gazing out at noth- lush, historical romance which centers upon portrait that pulled her in – it was the story ing, staring off vacantly into space.” See Power, Page 6 Artists on the Green to Host Open House The twelve artists of Artists on erages from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sun- the Green have been busy creat- day, Dec. 6. Additionally, artists ing beautiful and collectible will be demonstrating their ap- pieces of art for the upcoming proach to creating their art all Great Falls Holiday Fest, Satur- weekend. AOTG is conveniently day, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6. located across from the Farmer’s Artists on the Green, located at Market on Saturday morning and 776B Walker Road in Great Falls, is a short walk to the Christmas is known for offering a unique tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 blend of original art and that just p.m. on Sunday. right creative collectible. And, to make the holidays a little brighter, each artist is offering discounts of up to 20 percent off Kurt Schwarz their original creations. Open demonstrates both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., still life the studio will have a festive painting in Open House with food and bev- weekly class. Photo by Gail Péan www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ November 25 - December 1, 2015 ❖ 3 News Great Falls to Host Holiday Fest he Great Falls Holiday Fest, Tto be held Sat urday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6, will offer shopping, art, food, lights and Saint Nicholas, too! Both days, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Twenty-three Great Falls Studios member art- ists at the Grange and Old Schoolhouse, 9818 Georgetown Pike, will dis- play something for Secret Santas and serious collec- tors. Original art, prints, photography, fabric arts, pottery, sculpture, wood carvings, holiday gifts, note cards and more. Both days, noon–4 p.m. Santa will be at the Old Schoolhouse posing for pictures with girls and boys groups singing seasonal music. A petting zoo, pony and local authors will be storytelling there, too. rides and a live nativity scene. Santa and Mrs. Claus Gather for live music and dance, festive food and are scheduled to arrive by antique fire truck to begin drink at the Grange, make an ornament at the Arts the cheer when the own Christmas tree is lit! of Great Falls School, delight in art demonstrations Family friendly and free. at the Artists’ Atelier and Artists on the Green. Brought to you by Great Falls Studios, the Fairfax Wraps up Sunday, 4:30–6:30 p.m. with the 25th County Park Authority, Celebrate Great Falls and the Annual Celebration of Lights. Hot cider and cocoa to Arts of Great Falls. sip by the blazing Yule log and community choral For more information visit www.GreatFallsStudios.com. Look Your Best All Year Round Other Services: Facial, Chemical Peels, Massage, MicroPen, Venus Freeze, Venus Legacy, B-12 Shots, Open 7 Days a Week! Kybella, Sclerotherapy, Whitening, Invisalign, Botox and Fillers 9 am–9 pm! FREEZE TIME 00 REVERSE AGING $150. Through (Value $210) (New Customer) Thermal Magnetic Rejuvenation for Face, Oxygenation Facial Cannot be combined with any other offers. Neck and Body Expires 12/31/15 4 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ November 25 - December 1, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Langley High Orchestra to Perform British Classics, Hold Silent Auction The Langley High School Or- chestra presents a concert of Brit- ish Classics on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. Due to the renovation of the Langley HS Auditorium, the con- cert will be held at South Lakes HS, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston. The concert is free, and the public is invited to hear wonderful string orchestra music and participate in the Silent Auction. “British composers have written some of the best music in the world for string orchestra,” said Dr. Scott McCormick, director of Orchestra at Langley HS. The four orchestras will perform music by Gustav Holst, John Rutter, Peter Warlock, Ernest Bloch, Ralph Vaughan Will- iams, Henry Purcell, George F.