McKinney -- The temperature was 28 degrees and dropping.  A bitter north wind howled through the town square. And yet every parking space was filled. Just another Saturday night, but obviously this isn't just another city.   Welcome to historic downtown McKinney.

Where else could you enjoy a reception featuring acclaimed artist Annie Lee while listening to the timeless music of the late Charlie Christian, a Bonham, Texas native?  Laura Moore Fine Art Studios was the scene of what may be the final Texas exhibit of Ms. Lee who plans to return to Las Vegas.

It wasn't anything that Texas did wrong, but a wistful longing for all that Vegas does right.

"I just miss Las Vegas," Lee says with the same heart-felt honesty she pours into her paintings.

Raised and educated in Chicago, Lee obviously draws powerful imagery from her early years in Alabama. Her notable collectors include Bill Cosby and Will Smith.

An irrepressible champion of middle class African Americans, Lee's quite recognizable portraits of Black Americana have made her an icon during an all-too-brief stay in North Texas.

But even as North Texas prepares to say goodbye to Annie Lee, it says hello to Weeda Hamdan.

On Saturday night, Ms. Hamdan was featured at Orisons Fine Art on the south side of the McKinney Square and it only took one step inside the gallery to know someone new was in town.

It is a very colorful and vivid world somewhere between Abstract Expressionism and Impressionism that Hamdan has created. While abstract art was once her primary domain, a compelling metamorphosis occurred during an art project with her two young daughters.

While the three were experimenting with a technique known as bleeding art tissue, Hamdan found she was captivated by the three-dimensional texture and the surprising hues that came to life as the colors bled together.

"They planted the seed," she says with an appreciative smile at her daughters. "Children are such great inspiration."

Weeda Hamdan will be exhibiting her technique at Orison's during downtown McKinney's annual Spring Art Walk on April 14.

 On the north side of the McKinney Square, patrons partake of a glass of wine and admire the work of several area artists on display at Garret Art Gallery.

Window shopping is always a favorite pastime of visitors to downtown McKinney. With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching, colorful storefronts sang a lonely siren's song to deserted sidewalks on this night as sub-freezing temperatures chased visitors to art galleries and fine dining establishments.