Actress Jane Seymour makes personal appearances at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor Memorial Day Weekend.

Perhaps you remember her as the beautiful Solitaire, who stole scenes in the James Bond film, “Live and Let Die.”
Or do you picture her as the indefatigable, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman? Did you see “The Wedding Crashers?” She was in that, too.

And certainly, a whole new generation became acquainted with this beautiful, gracious, Lady Jane, as she danced her way into our hearts, once again, on the reality show, “Dancing with the Stars.”

Jane Seymour is truly a Renaissance woman. This English-born beauty has been acting professionally since 1968 in numerous movies, television series and sitcom appearances, as well as on Broadway.

In 1981 she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in the miniseries, “East of Eden.” In 1988, she was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in ”Onassis,” and in 1995, another Golden Globe for “Dr. Quinn.”

Today this charming actress is just as famous as an artist, author, entrepreneur, producer, and designer.

As Seymour finishes her latest acting role in the independent film, “The Assistant,” she is packing up to come to Stone Harbor for Ocean Galleries’ exhibit of 80 of her artworks.

Seymour said that it was her painting that renewed her spirit when 17 years ago, she nearly lost everything. At this very critical time in her life, she found that painting brought her a wonderful peace.
Although she never expected it to become a whole new career, now her artwork is inspiring fabrics, greeting cards and jewelry designs.

Seymour paints at her Malibu studio with watercolors and oils in a style she described as impressionistic. However, she has recently started to do new work she referred to as pop art and abstract.

Visitors to the Ocean Galleries’ exhibit will find much of her recognizable work beside new florals, white flowers on black backgrounds, the “Chinese Peony” done for the U.S. Olympic committee, and her latest ‘open heart’ abstract series.

It is this series of paintings that generated the most enthusiasm from Seymour.

“You have to love yourself in order to love others,” Seymour said in a recent telephone interview. “‘Accept yourself and your feelings,’ my mother always told me, ‘and love with an open heart.’”

Seymour is so energized by living this creed that she is writing a book about it.

Her ‘open heart’ artwork has also become an entire jewelry line worn by Dancing with the Stars celebrities and now available through Kay Jewelers. Proceeds from the sale of these pieces will fund some of her favorite charities including St. Jude’s Hospital and organizations that deal with child abuse.

Another piece that Seymour called unique is the “Words of Wisdom” painting that contains words and phrases imbedded into the leaves and flowers.

“You won’t notice them unless you know they are there,” she said.
This painting can be special ordered and personalized with a message special to the person who commissions it.

While she is in Stone Harbor, Seymour will get a chance to enjoy the town and said she will certainly “put her toes in the sand.”
Then she is off to Canada to do a film for Hallmark Studios called, “Dear Prudence.”

Actively committed to charitable causes, Seymour uses her artwork to help groups that promote wellness for women and children, will host a private reception and fundraiser for AtlantiCare Women’s Health & Wellness.

The “Jane Seymour: Paintings from the Heart” exhibition opens Friday, May 23 and runs through Monday, May 26. A limited amount of her artwork will remain at Ocean Galleries through Sunday, June 1.

Seymour will make personal appearances during special receptions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. These events are open to the public.

For more information about the show, contact Ocean Galleries, 609-368-7777 or oceangalleries.com.