C&T Publications 50 States of Art - 2015 | Page 30

Susan Maxwell Schmidt – Pennsylvania Susan Maxwell Schmidt is a fine art photographer and digital artist residing in East Nottingham, PA. Her works range from watercolor painted photographic landscapes, to detailed conceptual fractals and abstract digital art, to the sublime beauty of black and white photography. Also an established professional jewelry artist, Susan Maxwell Schmidt is well-known for her internationally-collected, one-of-a-kind upscale hair jewelry designs. Ms. Schmidt's visual art has appeared in SLAM Magazine and Garden Tripod, and graces the cover of British group River City Portrait's digital single Paralysed. Website: http://susanmaxwellschmidt.artistwebsites.com/ Here is my piece. It is called Annecy Rain. An original landscape photograph of Annecy, France digitally painted in detailed transparent, vibrant watercolors, primarily in tones of sea green, coral, salmon pink and vibrant yellow with navy blue shadowing. Quick Notes: Annecy is located in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Nearby is Annecy le Vieux, which became a Roman settlement in 62 BCE after the Romans conquered the native Gallic tribe known as the Allobroges. Choosing self-preservation over extinction, Allobroges warriors joined Julius Caesar and helped him to conquer Gaul. The Counts of Geneva held their official court in Annecy from the 10th century, which passed to the Counts of Savoy in 1401. Archaeological evidence suggests that Annecy is one of the oldest inhabited sites in the Northern Alps region, with the original lakeside village being dated to 3100 BCE. “New” Annecy began to be formed as a town in 1107 when permanent buildings and fortifications were built. The town was nicknamed the “Rome of the Alps” after it developed into a major center of the Counter-Reformation. The town did not become French until the year 1860, thanks to the “Treaty of Plombières.” During WWII the German SS had quarters here, based in the former St. Francois school. However, just to the north of Annecy, a strong contingent of the French Resistance were operating and on August 19th, 1944 they helped to liberate the town. Today, Annecy is one of France's most visited towns. Not surprising considering the natural beauty of the area, combined with the many historic sites and easy access to both Paris and Geneva. 25