SIKESTON - The Sikeston Depot will celebrate its two-year anniversary Sunday with the opening reception for "Artful Excursions: Sisters Paint Europe" featuring the work of local artist Ann Murphy Schuchart of Sikeston and her sister, Margaret Murphy Schneider of St. Louis.
"We were blessed with the opportunity to travel," said Schuchart. "Some (of the trips) were together, some were separate. The whole theme of the show for my sister and I is 'travels we've had.'"
From the green hills of Ireland to the sunny coast of Italy, the sisters have recorded their visual and emotional responses in color and line over the years.
Now, in an effort to share their adventures, they have assembled a collection of these works for the exhibit. "It's something we've always talked about," said Schneider. "I didn't think it would ever happen, but I'm thrilled that it has."
The sisters are "close in age and close in interests," according to Schneider. "We really do think a lot alike - our work even looks like one another's."
The second and third of nine children, Schuchart and Schneider agreed that art has been a part of their lives as long as they can remember.
Schuchart related an early memory of drawing stick-horses on a blackboard leaned up against the wall in the kitchen. "We were always encouraged in our family," said Schuchart.
"Everybody is either musical, artistic or talented in writing."
Over the years, the two have enjoyed spending time together attending workshops where they hone their craft "or just going off and painting together," said Schuchart.
Included in the show is an exhibit from their first trip together during which the two visited London, England, along with their older sister and mother.
During the London trip, each of the sisters painted a postcard for their father's birthday. The three postcards are now matted and framed together as a single piece.
"Every trip was fantastic," said Schuchart, with Ireland being "the most recent and the favorite."
She admitted that while the most recent trip always seems to become her favorite, Ireland may hold on to the title as connecting with their heritage made the experience even more special.
Also special to Schuchart is the trip when she met up in France with her son David who had traveled there as part of a school band trip.
During this trip they were able to visit Monet's home and garden in France - something she and David had always hoped to do - before also visiting Germany and Venice, Italy.
Some of the pieces in the exhibit were painted on site while others were painted after the trip from photographs and sketches. "Usually the ones you do on site are more rapidly done," said Schuchart, "and tend to look a little sketchy."
With a photograph, a sketch, her memory and some time in the studio, Schuchart said she is able to achieve a more finished piece.
Ever since she took a watercolor class at SEMO taught by Jake Wells, Schuchart has focused primarily on watercolors although she will do the occasional oil and has done a few pastels recently.
"I think watercolor will always be my first love," said Schuchart. "The color is so clear - it just glows."
"I love looking at watercolors - more so than oils or other forms of art," agreed Schneider, although she can't recall any one moment when she chose watercolor as her favorite medium.
"It probably just evolved," said Schneider. "It's clean and convenient - when you have kids around you can do a little and put it away."
The show will feature several personal touches. The artists' sketchbook-journals will be on display and, along with the title, each piece will have a card with "something about the painting or why we painted it," according to Schuchart. "It makes it more interesting."
The opening reception will be held from 1-4 p.m. "The public is invited," said Janice Matthews, Sikeston Depot board member. "We're always happy to have everyone."
Live music will set the mood while visitors wander and browse the exhibit. "A violin ensemble will be entertaining," said Schuchart.
Schuchart believes the Depot is "a real asset to the community" and predicted it will keep getting better as time goes on.
"I'm really happy to be able to have a show at the Depot," said Schuchart. She explained she had long dreamed of the historic building being renovated as an art center. "So it's exciting for me to have a show here."
Schneider is equally as excited. "I've been (to Sikeston) for many of the workshops and I enjoy the people and enjoy the town," she said. "And I enjoy being with my sister."