Queen City Art Club Show Opening

Friday evening was the opening of the Queen City Art Club show at Baker-Hunt in Covington, KY. One of my paintings was featured on the postcard for the show, which was an honor, since I'm one of the newest members of the club.

We had a good turn out - I got to talk to several people I don't get to see enough of, and my husband got to gorge on some delicious snacks and talk to some interesting people, too.

They had a "bazaar" table with small items on it, and some of those items sold. I'm not aware that any of the large paintings have sold, though. Sadly, people will spend money on so many things that they won't even use, but not spend any money on artwork which they can enjoy every day of their lives.

This is the painting on the postcard - "Roses on Grandma's Quilt", watercolor.

WHAT A WEEK!

It’s been quite a week, both personally and artistically.

Last Wednesday I started the day with a colonoscopy (yippee!). While the outcome was fine, I seem to always have a problem with anesthesia, so the rest of that day was a write off, which meant that I missed a funeral visitation that evening. Ordinarily that wouldn’t bother me, but the deceased was a good friend of my husband who had died quite suddenly and I was sad that I was unable to attend. However, once Wednesday was over, my week got better!

Friday evening I attended Viewpoint, a national competition sponsored by The Cincinnati Art Club, of which I am a member. Unfortunately, the painting I had entered was not accepted; however, my friend Sharon had a painting in the exhibit. It is the painting on top left – African boys in a circle – entitled “Circle of Friends” (watercolor). She won a magazine award for it!

There were quite a few more gorgeous paintings (and hopefully these two artists will not mind their paintings being shown here - I have purposely kept them small).

Here is Ray Hassard’s “West Meets East” (pastel) for which he won a one year gallery representation. He does wonderful work, so much detail - this was framed as though you were actually looking into the window of the shop!Another painting that caught my eye was Cindy Brabec-King’s “Belonging Unto Him" (watercolor). I have admired her work in magazines and books for years - this painting has so much going on and is quite beautiful up close and personal! Sadly, it did not win an award.
I tried to get more photos, but by the time I had walked around the exhibit and began my second go around with camera at the ready it was getting too crowded to get good pictures. So I must make a “memo to self” for future exhibits – get there early and take my photos right away!
Then on Saturday morning I taught a class at the local library – sunflowers in watercolor. Wow – they all did such a great job – either there were lots of talented people there, or they had a great teacher (ha, ha!). Once again, I meant to get some photos of the class, but we had more people attend than we thought and it was kind of a whirlwind to get everything completed in 3 hours – maybe next time.

This week I have two art club meetings and two art openings this weekend! I always enjoy art openings – such a pleasant way to spend an evening! Now if my paintings would just sell . . .

Tennessee Barn

We passed this barn by the side of the road each time we came and went from Norris Lake this summer. One day the cows were there so I snapped a photo. Just had to – my husband is in the process of purchasing beef cattle! (Can't wait????)

Enjoy the painting process!

Watercolor, Arches 140 CP, 11x15

MORE BRICKS

Here are more bricks for this year’s auction from my friends. (I’m hoping they won’t be mad at me for putting their bricks on here, since I didn’t ask for permission from them).

We Can! - My friend Nancy did this one – it’s her first time and I think she did a super job! My son was curious about how she created the rocks and girl – and so am I! Hmmmmmmm . . . . .
Reaching Out - My friend Sharon did this one. She constantly amazes and impresses me with her artistic abilities. The hand is that of her daughter, Eleanor. Way too cool!
Yoga brick - Linda is a yoga teacher, so here are two views of her Yoga brick so you can see all of the wording – Ommmmmmm!

Here is a photo of the day of the auction – there was a good crowd all afternoon. Sadly, before I left, neither of my bricks had been bid on – but two of the others had! We were told that following the auction, some people just buy the brick for the stated opening bid. Starting bids (set by the organizers of the event) for mine were $50 for Birdbrain Lane and $75 for Memo Brick – perhaps that was too high? Some of the bricks started bidding at $25, others as high as $125-$150! But it's all for a great cause.

BRICK AUCTION, October 26, 2008

Through a friend of mine, I found out about a brick auction which raises funds for breast cancer. This event has been going on for several years. You can read more about it at http://www.breastcancerbricks.org/.

The bricks can be simply painted or items can be added to them (mosaics, cloth, beads, etc.). The main criteria is that each brick must have the pink cancer ribbon displayed on it somewhere. I think it’s a novel idea and always wonder if my brick will “sell”. They have a silent auction with the bricks set up on tables and then they usually also have a live auction at some point with a local newsman officiating. Various sponsors have raffles and of course there is food and wine, so it makes for a pleasant afternoon or evening.

The first time I entered a brick, several years ago, my first brick was “Gina Lola Brickada”, based on Gina Lola Brigida (of course!) I had read somewhere that she is an artist and I thought that she would get a kick out of finding herself the basis of a “sexy brick” (never would have thought you would hear those two words together!). Here are photos of that one. Be aware that this is a digital photo of actual photos – they were taken long before I purchased a digital camera. Gina has been painted from all sides – she’s just headless! Also legless and armless, but, hey, she’s a brick after all!

Gina Lola Brickada

Next there was “Racing for the Cure” – below is another digital photo of my photos – and when I painted this one my son was impressed! He said I pretty much got the muffler, etc. correct on the bottom of the brick. If you cannot see it well, I tried to paint it as though you were looking at each side of a race car (both sides, top, bottom, front and back) so that all sides of the brick were painted.

Racing for the Cure It is interesting here to note that there was a brick with the title “Race for the Cure” this year! It involved little toy cars on a race track around the brick! There was also a Marilyn Monroe brick and “Brick Jagger” – jagged brick with big lips painted on – too cute!

The following year I painted “Checkmate” – you can view this one at the above website on the “Contact us” page! I must not have taken photos of this one myself.

This year I’ve done two more – “Monday on Birdbrain Lane” which was prompted by my locating tiny clothes pins at the Michael’s store and then some little bitty birdhouses! Once the idea was formed I searched throughout the store for something to use as “grass” and found some sort of plant cover that worked great, as well as the little tiny birds.

Monday on Birdbrain Lane And, last but not least, the one I’m most happy with – the “Memo Brick”. This one was a couple of years in the making since I wanted to do it last year, but they canceled the event then. So this brick languished in my studio for almost two years! I had the idea bouncing around in my head but couldn’t figure out how to make it look like a blackboard, etc. I finally borrowed a really neat tool from my husband so I could cut the wood and miter it for the frame around each side. This one took a long time, since I had to paint each strip of wood, then cut the miter and glue them together so they had a tight fit - not that easy on a brick! – and let them sit overnight to make sure they were solid before moving on to the next side – and there are 6 sides to a brick!!! The “blackboard” was made by spraying Krylon blackboard paint and the magnetic board by spraying Krylon magnetic paint. My daughter and I searched for small office items and happened upon a cute little kit at the dollar store! So that’s where the little stapler, tape dispenser, pencil and scissors came from! Then to get a piece of “chalk” I was forced to purchase a small set of pastels! In order to keep them all attached I used Velcro tabs. To keep the paper clips in the container I glued a small piece of magnet in the bottom. I think it would make a cool gift for a teacher, or actually anyone with a desk (which is pretty much everyone!).

Memo Brick

St. Leon, IN Pole Raising - October 25, 2008

Here’s a little history lesson for you! Once upon a time in our country a hickory pole was raised prior to the presidential election. Well, here in our little corner of the world, it still is. St. Leon, Indiana is the only place in the country that still adheres to the tradition and I’ll give you the run down according to our local paper:

“The pole raising is the centerpiece of an all-day celebration that includes a parade, political and patriotic oratory . . . and plenty of food and old-fashioned fun. . . On the morning of St. Leon’s pole raising residents will go to the woods with a crosscut saw to cut the hickory pole. The pole will be draped across two or three hay wagons . . . then the pole is raised to standing by rope-tugging, heave-ho man (and woman) power . . . the pole remains until after a new president is elected.”

It’s always a democrat who locates the hickory tree, and a group of local democrats who cut it down and it’s all very hush, hush as to where the tree is growing until it’s cut. The side branches are all cut off, thus the reference to the hickory “pole” but a few small branches are left at the top. Now a painted chicken is attached to the pole, but in the past (and to this day on a small tree) a caged rooster was attached to the top of the tree. In the past there have been some vandalism incidents dealing with the pole but hopefully that won’t happen this year. I’m told that one year someone found out where the pole was to be cut and a group from the opposing political party cut it down first!

Anyway . . . I got there before the parade began and got a great spot at the side of the road by the fire house from which to take pictures. Except for the “gentlemen” behind me, the brisk wind blowing, the candy pelting me, the fire engines blasting their horns and the steam engine tooting, it was a perfect place to stand!!!

The local high school marching band, flag bearers and dancers along with the American Legion color guard, several old cars and tractors, the aforementioned steam engine and fire vehicles, horse-drawn wagon, lawn mowers and political candidates made up the parade. Lots of candy made it into (or onto!) the crowd (it's a tradition for all of the parade participants to throw candy to the crowd). Following the parade we all walked to the field behind the church. Again the band played and patriotic songs were sung while the pole was prepared for raising. However, I didn’t stay for the main event since the politicos began their speeches prior thereto! I did go back the next day to take a photo of the raised pole which will remain until after the election.

There is such a sense of community here and it makes me happy to know that I’m on a first name basis with people in a 20-mile radius and even know a couple of the local candidates personally - in the city I didn’t know my neighbors! Here are a few photos of the day. Hope you enjoy this little slice of Americana!

The plaque

The crowd gathers before the parade

American Legion Post 464 Color Guard.

St. Leon, IN Volunteer Fire Department fire engine.

That "blasted" steam engine - driven by a woman! - towing the hickory "pole".

East Central High School, St. Leon, IN, marching band

East Central High School, St. Leon, IN flag corps

Bill Yelton and his locally famous flag painted truck

The little pole - with caged chicken attached! In case I didn't make this clear (!) this chicken was for "show purposes" only and was taken home the same day. The wooden picture of a chicken attached to the tall pole remains until after the election.

St. Joseph Church, St. Leon, IN - circa 1840!

The pole laying sideways, being propped up prior to raising it.

The crowd pulls the large ropes to raise the pole.

The pole raised - it will stand until a president is elected.

NOTE: Since I’ve been trying to keep my posts related to art, you may be wondering “How does this relate to art?” Well, I got lots of pictures, some of which may turn into paintings some day!

Painting with Humor

I began my artistic endeavors by painting in watercolor, which I have been told is “the hardest medium to master”. I don’t know if that is really true, but I did quickly find that, if I didn’t laugh, I would cry! So I laughed (at myself and others!).

As I go through life I realize that the ability to laugh is a wonderful thing. And the ability to laugh at myself may be my greatest gift. I don’t understand those people who take everything so seriously (although, sadly, in my earlier years I was one of them).

Nothing in life is perfect. So, when things go wrong (you don’t make it into that art show, you didn’t win a prize) don’t take yourself or your art too seriously – laugh it off – there will be more opportunities.

So my advice to you is to have fun with the process of making your art, and anything more is icing on the cake!

For instance, I get together once a year with a group of artist friends. While painting (and eating) is our primary concern for that week, our real job seems to be to laugh – sometimes we laugh until we cry, sometimes we cry until we laugh. We have a ball (or bawl??). Sure, we have all had our ups and downs, our successes and our failures, in both our personal and artistic lives, but we muddle on through, supporting each other with respect, love and humor.

Painting Figures in Watercolor

Some years ago I was at a friend’s lake house, when the grandpa next door came out with his two grandchildren and they proceeded to go fishing. I took a photo through the window, so it came out rather blurry and very dark, due to the bright sun that day. But the image stayed in the back of my mind and recently I decided to give it a try, using the pouring technique.

The children were both done via contour drawing – that and the pouring technique make the images more stylized.

It was a fun process to do an entire poured painting. Quite often when I begin a painting, I wet the entire sheet and do a modified paint pour as my initial entry into the painting, and then I may re-pour some specific areas, but I don’t normally do this entire detailed process for the whole painting.

American Watercolor Society Show

Every two years the American Watercolor Society traveling show comes to the Middletown Arts Center in Middletown, Ohio, about an hour and a half from me. With it that close, how can I not go???

This year’s show was very good, I thought. Lots of realism, which I like. And the paintings, for the most part, did not duplicate each other "style-wise".

A few stood out for me. There is a John Salminen which is his usual city street scene, but this one is more pastel in tone. Dana Brown paints a lot of machinery and she has a great one titled “Cummins One.” There were some names I did not recognize, or cannot remember, but there is another beautiful machinery piece, and a knockout of the front of an old car, I think by Dave Maxwell (my apologies if that is wrong). I had to study that one for a while – Wow! There is a Steve Rogers colorful boat, a Stephen Quiller mountain scene and Cheng-Khee Chee koi.

It was neat to see “Travelers” by Carla O’Connor after seeing it in magazines. Ditto for Mark Mehaffey’s “Blue Monolith”. I think that’s what I like most about going to the show – by the time I get there I’ve seen some of the winners in the art magazines, obviously very small, and then to see them in real life can be astonishing. I always feel fortunate to be able to see such beautiful art.

If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area it’s worth the drive, but better call first for times they are open! And I’m pretty sure it’s only there through October 18.

Another Peony

Yep, another Peony. Pretty straightforward - not done on the top and then done on the bottom!

This was a class project for my Dunham group - and it was a great stretch for them, I know, but they did a good job without TOO MUCH complaining!

This may not be "frameworthy" - I have to live with it a while.

I'm working on something that is NOT a peony now (I promise!) and will have that coming up soon.