THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150161
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
One might expect to find thread, needles, scissors or scattered scraps of fabric behind a door labeled ``sewing room.''
But the room in the Chesapeake home of Billie Edwards has oil paintings hanging on the walls and stacks of art prints on the counters. Cardboard boxes serve as temporary storage for more than 20 matted and framed watercolors with her signature on them.
The paintings are her entries in the Brush and Palette Club's Olde Towne Smithfield Art Show. It will be Edwards' first show.
``There are only 25 people in the show. It will be a small but quality show,'' she said confidently.
Her 20 entries include a still life, landscapes and several portraits, including a self-portrait.
``I like painting portraits,'' Edwards said. ``It's a challenge. I like to paint things that speak to people.''
Of her watercolors, her husband's favorite is a four-angle portrait of their granddaughter.
``He says this one is a home run,'' she said.
In 1981, Edwards earned a two-year associate's degree in art from Tidewater Community College. Later, she did graphics and security work for the government.
Since 1989 she has been production manager for Rowena's, a Norfolk manufacturer of gourmet foods. She said she enjoys traveling to set up trade shows for the company. She said she has ``going britches.''
``I sell Rowena's, Rowena's products and myself at the shows,'' she said.
In January she plans to leave her job, pack her palette and travel in Europe for several months. After she returns, Edwards plans to work as an artist full-time.
``I don't take the word `artist' lightly. Calling myself an artist is like a resume. I wouldn't want to say anything that is untrue,'' she said.
``I have these wonderful friends who have this incredible faith in me and my abilities.''
Full name: Billie L. Edwards
Hometown: ``Norfolk. I graduated from Maury High School.''
Childhood memories: ``Trips to California to visit my mother's family. Once we drove. Twice we rode the Greyhound bus for 72 hours.''
Spouse: ``Robert L. Edwards. He's been cooking for me for 26 years.''
Children: Robert Jr.
Occupation: Production manager for Rowena's
Hobbies: ``I'm a wild and maniac collector of lighted houses, and I display them.''
Favorite movie: ``Shirley Valentine''
Favorite song: ``I Swear''
Favorite TV program: ``I watch public television.''
Something you can't resist: ``Gourmet food and the opportunity for travel. If somebody says, `Let's go,' I say, `What time?' Have palette, will travel.''
If you could change something about yourself, what would it be? ``That I would not be in such a hurry to get things done. I'm always trying to take time to smell the roses.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JULIE GOODRICH
by CNB