What makes a great masterpiece? The infinite question on every artist's mind. For Denise Calisti it begins with what she has had a passion for since childhood. To take the bus to kindergarten there was a path through a wooded area that led to a quaint neighborhood with old houses with porches. Families would sit and visit, crochet and do whatever people did to keep cool before the days of air conditioning. The shadows of mature trees filtered down on the lawns and gardens. Life was simple and pure. The sun was shining. Memories like these are calming and pleasant. So for Denise this is the greatest feeling she can provide her patrons. Beach towns and quickly disappearing local properties are her favorite subjects. Aging architecture, sultry farms in the summer heat, botanicals, and gardens as well as snowy winter scenes are all part of her "great masterpieces".

Denise was born in Wisconsin and came to Southern Maryland when she was ten years old. She studied under Larry Chappelear for many years and continued her education at George Washington University. Since the impressionists were her greatest inspiration she also studied in Brittany, France in the summer of 1978.

Denise Calisti's work can be found in Waldorf, Maryland in Gallery Jamel. (301-870-6570.)