Featured Artist… Christina Body!

On July 8, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

American Classic by Christina Body

What is it about paintings of an Airstream? The neat reflections that bounce off it? The happy memories they might bring back? Whatever it is, it seems that everyone is enchanted by an Airstream painting… This is a nice one by Christina Body… love the flamingos!

I think it is so interesting when artists show what they’re painting along with the actual painting. It’s neat to see what they see and how they can transform the canvas and make it so much more interesting than real life! See what I mean?

Christina Body calls this “Painting a Silver Twinkie” – sense of humor, I like it!

This painting has already sold, but I just had to show you! Christina paints a wide variety of subjects. If you aren’t familiar with her work, check it out!

Read a blip about Christina from her website:

“There is nothing more exciting in my life than ‘seeing’ something to paint” – stopping dead in my tracks and saying “I’ve got to paint that! City life, boats in a harbor or my son in my arms my heart pounds with inspiration and excitement from the onset of the idea until the final stroke on canvas. I paint what I know, what I love and new people and places that strike my heart… “

Christina has been making art since childhood. Strongly influenced by her Great Uncle and First Uncle she became familiar and comfortable with many forms of art. Charcoal and Sumi ink drawings, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting, woodcarving and sculpture. She experienced first hand the passion to make art and the excitement in experimenting in multi-medias. It was the beginning of how she would forever see the world.

Christina’s formal training began with an art scholarship under the mentorship of professor emeritus Robert Paulson at Southern Illinois University. It was in Carbondale, IL that she had her first plein air (outdoor) painting classes. It was Robert Paulson that taught his students how to capture fleeting light, compare values and temperature, and see the big shapes. And uniquely he also inspired his students to not always paint exactly what you see but to paint how you feel about your subject and environment.

After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in painting and minors in Photography and Theatre from SIU she continued her studies at the American Academy of Art and the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago and under the tutelage of renowned artists David Leffell, Ken Auster and Henry Yan. Inspiration also came from her extended stays plein air painting in Key West, Jamaica and travels abroad. Christina’s inspirations consist of notable artists Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla, and the early twentieth century artists of the Ashcan School. She paints in oils both ‘en plein air’ and in her studio from models, sketches, oil studies and photographs.

“My passion to make paintings has only grown stronger after having my children. The love I feel mothering my children and making a painting are parallel; I can’t see myself any other way. I feel an urgency to paint and a directness that I didn’t feel before I had my kids. My time is precious as well as my aspirations. When I paint I wear my ‘mental suit’ armed with confidence, clarity, excitement and spirituality. When I connect with my subject everything else around me becomes a blur. Raising and caring for my children has enlightened me and the way I see and opens up new doors everyday. Children and painting together is a stream of rewarding moments. I am truly grateful.”

Christina’s award winning paintings have earned her participation in juried shows and national plein air painting competitions and invitational’s, including ‘2008 Plein Air Festival, Door County, WI and ‘2007 Plein Air Easton’, in Easton, Maryland. Most recent awards include “Best of Show” at the 65^th Annual Salon Show, at Bachman Gallery, in Munster, IN and two “Honorable Mentions” at the Cedarburg Plein Air Painting Festival, in Cedarburg WI. In May 2008 Body’s solo exhibition “Chicago in a Blink” at The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts was reviewed by Chicago Art Critic Alan Artner in the Chicago Tribune – a first for The Palette and Chisel Academy in 100 years. Her work has been published in American Art magazine and is included in Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s corporate art collection in Chicago.

Christina is a founding member of the Plein Air Painters of Chicago, a member of Oil Painters of America, International Plein Air Painters and an Artist Member of The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, in Chicago. She exhibits her work in galleries and juried exhibitions nationally and her paintings hang in corporate, public and private collections worldwide. Christina resides in Chicago with her husband Jake and sons Emil and Walter.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Mia Bergeron show, July 5, 2013 at Robert Lange Studios (RLS) in Charleston, SC!

On July 5, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist4 Comments

"Anarchist" by Mia Bergeron Image: RobertLangeStudios.com — “Anarchist” by Mia Bergeron
Image: RobertLangeStudios.com

S P E E C H L E S S. I. Am. Speechless. It doesn’t happen often… It was difficult to come up with words to start this post. The detail in this face is amazing. The background is genius. The more abstract background makes this beautiful face pop. Mia Bergeron is the artist, and she is fabulous! Mia’s show opens July 5, 2013 at RLS (Robert Lange Studios) in Charleston, SC. This is Mia’s first solo show. Mia, I wish you much success, you certainly deserve it!

Here is information about the show as well as a question and answer interview from RLS… If you haven’t been to Robert Lange Studios I highly recommend it. It is cutting edge and so unique! Catch you back here tomorrow!

In her first solo show, Gradual Thaw, Mia Bergeron has created a series of paintings that will take viewers on a visual journey of what drives, motivates and inspires her creative process.

Gradual Thaw Questions with the Artist:

1. What inspires you?

A lot of things inspire me. I’m drawn to everyday abstractions I see in nature… subtle variances in shades of lights and colors, big, unusual compositions. People are a huge source of inspiration for me, both strangers and close friends.

2.What are three words that describe both you and your work?

Introspective, Experimental, Inquisitive. (And some would say moody! Ha!)

3.When you look around your studio, what do you see?

A lot of paintings I have worked on and destroyed, and worked on again. I probably painted double the paintings I have in this exhibit, but destroyed half of them over the course of time. And books. I’m addicted to art books. I have books that range in subjects from John Singer Sargent to the Alexander McQueen retrospective at the Metropolitan. I have little pieces of paper in all of these to remind me of ideas for paintings. I also have a huge amount of printed images in my studio…paintings of other peoples’ work, photos that inspire me, even scraps of textiles that remind me about a particular color harmony.

4.What project are you currently working on?

Mostly I’ve been working on paintings for my solo show at Robert Lange Studios, and a few paintings for a Women Painting Women show I will be involved with in September.

5.What was the impelling force for the current subject matter and show?

I think I’m in a natural evolution with my work. Mostly, I have been focused on two ideas for this show. One is to really dive into my fears as a painter, and my strengths. When I was in school in Italy, I was constantly told I was better at getting an effect than achieving details. This was said to me as a weakness I had in my painting skills. I was also told I was a temperamental painter. For years, I thought these two “defects” would hurt my work. In the past year, I’ve really dug into making my vulnerabilities my strengths. I think it’s sort of creative problem solving and simply being curious. Instead of denying that I am a erratic painter and that I like big, overall effects in a painting (like mood, for instance), I decided to accept those parts of me and even play them up in these paintings. I think the work looks like it could change at any moment, and the moods are very purposeful. The other idea I have been exploring with in my work is loss of information. The paintings in this show are the results of a bunch of questions I had with paint. I will paint a model for days and days, then slowly start to erase parts of my painting, wiping out entire passages I have worked hard on, making transitions that don’t exist. I will purposefully look to lose areas of a painting that I want to grow into something more.

6.What do you hope people walk away from the show talking about?

I hope they ask questions. I’m not offering any real answers in my work, mostly just posing questions to the viewer.

7. What do you think both visual and conceptually your strengths are as an artist?

Visually, I think I am strong in depicting light and mood. Conceptually, I think I am strong at looking at broader topics that relate to inner feelings.

8. Can you talk about the title of your show, “Gradual Thaw”?

I picked this name because it represents both what happens in spring time, just before plant life blooms, but also as it relates to a mental state. I had all these rules for being a person, a painter, etc. I think I’m in a transitional stage of my life, as many people are, and some of those previous rules and ideas about myself, my work, and my world are melting away to make room for new growth. A lot of the titles of paintings in this show refer to this evolution.

9. How do you choose your models?

Most of the women I paint are artists. There’s this sense of understanding I find with them about poses and intentions. It’s a bit of an unsaid symbiosis. I’m also a huge advocate of women artist visibility, so I think it is a natural choice for me to be drawn to creative females to paint.

10. When do you call a piece finished?

When it no longer seems to have any obvious needs.

Thank you to RLS for providing this information!

Happy 4th of July and…

On July 4, 2013June 26, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS6 Comments

H A P P Y 4th O F J U L Y ! ! !

Isn’t this the sweetest painting by Ken DeWaard? Perfect for the 4th of July…! If you aren’t familiar with his work. OH. MY. GOSH! Check out Ken’s website and his blog!

Enjoy your day! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Josh Clare!

On July 1, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

White by Josh Clare / Image: Josh Clare Facebook

WHAAAT?!!! Are you kidding me? Josh Clare… artist. A young artist with incredible talent. Each and every painting is so fresh, there is a clearness to his paintings (if that makes sense?). They are so pure. The combination of the light hitting the white barn, the color of the mountains and that perfect green in the trees behind the barn is so perfect. The colors are gorgeous. The subject matter, clear and focused without being tight… there is such a fine line between being focused and being tight. (I’m not poo-pooing artists who paint realistically, it is just a different painting style, obviously, meant to be realistic)! A definite pat on the back is in order for whoever maintains Josh’s website, very nice!

Read more about Joshua Clare from his website:

Born in 1982 and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, Josh has been interested in art ever since he can remember; but it was when his fifth-grade teacher sincerely complimented him on an art project that he became an artist. He says concerning that defining moment, “a large part of being good at something is believing your good at it—and I’ve believed in myself ever since.”

Josh graduated in 2007 from BYU-Idaho with a BFA in Illustration and immediately began to sell his work in galleries. He currently resides in Queen Creek, AZ with his wife Cambree and their son, Nathan.

WHY I PAINT

“Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power. I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:47-48).

There is no artist greater than God, and no beauty more perfect than His creations—His art; to see any, even the least of them, is to see God himself, “moving in His majesty and power.” There have been times in my life when I have done more than merely look—times when I’ve seen. Those moments are sacred and precious to me, and I desire to share them. I want to see more clearly, I want to comprehend more fully—and I want to help others do the same. That’s why I paint.

My aim as an artist is not to redefine beauty—no one can do that—but to discover for myself, through the Spirit of Truth, those eternal laws that govern it, and obey them.

If I am anything good, if there is anything in my art that is good—it’s because of and thanks to God. As often as I forget it, I know that I am nothing of myself, and I’m deeply grateful that Heavenly Father has allowed me to be an artist.

Peruse Josh’s website… Read his blog and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

Monhegan Island, Maine – Wickedly Creative!

On June 30, 2013December 16, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, THOUGHTS6 Comments

Monhegan Island, Maine. A diverse and wickedly creative place! Even the clothes on the line are bright like the beautiful flowers! A magical place on earth!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Bruce Gomez!

On June 28, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Final Thoughts From Far Away by Bruce Gomez – Image: TellurideGallery.com

Bruce Gomez, artist… Spectacular, right? The composition of this painting is amazing. The colors… perfect in every way! If you haven’t seen work by Bruce Gomez I highly suggest you check him out, he’s got such beautiful subject matter! Bruce is a pastel artist, living in Denver, CO.

Here’s a blip about him from the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art:

Bruce A. Gómez was born in Denver, Colorado in 1957 and was educated at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Denver, where he received a degree in Political Science as well as a degree in Romance Languages. The Telluride Gallery of Fine Art has represented Bruce since 1985.

He has been working in pastels for thirty-nine years, full-time for the past twenty-nine. Entirely self-taught, Bruce works exclusively in that medium on cold-pressed watercolour paper. In addition, he has taught for the last twenty years at the Ah Haa School in Telluride, CO, where he has been one of the school’s highest rated instructors for years. He has also had the opportunity to teach workshops in Sedona, AZ, Moab, UT, London, England, and Cortona, Italy. He is currently a regular instructor at the Abend Gallery of Fine Art in Denver.

Bruce has participated in more shows than he can recall and his work has been featured in The Artist Magazine, Art and Antiques, and in Southwest Art Magazine several times where he was noted as an Artist to Watch Over $5,000.

He has appeared in numerous Pastel Invitational shows as well as Plein Air Invitationals including The Denver Golden Triangle Invitational, and The Sedona Plein Air Festival, in which he won The Collector’s Choice Award, The Artists Choice Award, and received one of five Merit Awards in 2011 and the Merit Awards in 2012.

Bruce has also produced the artwork for numerous festivals and events including The MAAD poster Detroit 1998, The Telluride Jazz Festival, The Telluride Chamber Music Festival, The Sheep Mountain Alliance, and many others. He has contributed his work to numerous fundraisers and benefits including fundraisers for The Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, The Telluride AIDS benefit, The Ah Haa Art Auction, The Alzheimer’s Foundation, KRMA Art Auction, and The American Cancer Society.

His extensive travels range from Aspen and Telluride, New Mexico and Arizona, Wyoming and Montana, up to Banff, and crossing the Pond to Europe; he has painted across London, Amsterdam, Paris, Provence, Florence, and Rome.

Truly gifted! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Susan Gilbert (opening reception today)!

On June 26, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

Washer Woman by Susan Gilbert

I love this piece by Susan Gilbert. The rich, warm colors, the pounding surf, the splash of the wave in the distance… and oh, how the toned canvas shows through. Remarkable. Susan lives on Monhegan Island, ME. Her work is featured at the Island Inn this year… be sure to check it out!

Susan’s work is shown at the Lupine Gallery on Monhegan Island. This is the neatest gallery. I just love the atmosphere, the art (obviously), and the people. Everything about it makes it one fabulous gallery. Susan’s opening reception is today from 2-4, so if you happen to be on the island, don’t miss it!

Read a blip about Susan’s philosophy from her website:

Philosophy

Heard on the Elizabeth Ann, ferry to Monhegan, Maine:

“One kind of work describes its object and is about the object. The other work is about art.” “There is nothing wrong with illustration, but it should be acknowledged, that is what it is.”

What do I believe? All art work is about art. All people see and respond to the world in an unique way. Art is the product of a true eye, a personal vision which one may or may not have the privilege to uncover. The truth of art will be revealed when given the chance to become itself through time and work.

Alex Katz, visiting lecturer to my school in the early 70’s, showed his recent work, cutouts- wooden silhouettes of figures with his characteristic, flat , simple delineation. He described that work as seen with “quick light,” and explained that he meant the impact to be gotten immediately, all at once. I compare this to the to the painting of Vermeer, timeless, still, yet endlessly unfolding,to my vision seen in the slowest light.

Broad categories are used to organize art, and to try to understand it. Context, history surround us. The frame of reference can be daunting. Where in this sea of time do I belong? To work, to search, to find my vision knowing that truth in art can only become itself through time and work.

The artist who continues to open may interpret vision. Like DNA, art which becomes signature expression is predetermined. Style is secondary to vision. Incorporating much or little of history, art is narrative, figurative or abstract, minimal or baroque, technological, conceptual. With quick or slow light, art is always about itself.

So, art may be about describing a harbour, may be about color and pattern, may tell a story, or not. Art can be almost anything. How to organize art is personal. I choose not to draw a line. Why subvert my need to be surprised by the unexpected, to be enlightened, refreshed. When viewing art I ask, does the color sing? does the paint move me? does this work have a life? can I return to it? will it be thrown away? Is this rich, true, right? Art is.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits: SusanGilbert.com

Featured Artist… Sam Robinson!

On June 24, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist1 Comment

Interior painting by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

I enjoy interiors. Everyone that I speak to loves them, yet you don’t see a lot of them… Sam Robinson has a fabulous website, you can view paintings by subject, Figures, Interiors, Landscapes and (tada!) Interiors! He does a wonderful job with each subject. This interior is such a sweet painting, the nice warm colors, view of the outdoors, light on the wall from the lamp and the shadows that it provides… very cool! Sam also does portraits and equestrian sporting art (foxhunting and steeplechase). Check out his website if you get a chance!

Below is a painting that was done for a show at McBride Gallery… the light in this painting is incredible!

Pemaquid Sundown by Sam Robinson – Image: SamRobinsonFineArt.com

Here’s a blip about Sam from his website:

My credo as an artist is, “Expression without Description”. I work directly from life as often as is practical. I prize the vivid suggestion of appearances through brushwork and color tones. My artistic concerns can be understood as a pursuit of a “New American Impressionism”. It is the effect or impression I am after, stated directly from observation. I aim for painterly warmth and pursue my taste for subjects and effects that have charm and beauty.

Equestrian Sporting Art is a particular passion, deeply connected to the landscape and country life of the surrounding region. Several of my shows on the subject have shared the title, “Portrait of a Tradition”, summing up my intention to capture the particular character of the landscape and the subjects; human, equine and canine that inhabit it.

I lived in South Korea for most of my childhood where my parents served as missionaries. My earliest art training was in Asian brush painting. On my return to the United States I studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art, graduating magna cum laude with a BFA in painting in 1978. I live in Maryland with my wife and two children.

I am a member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association and participate in their paint-outs and shows. I am also a member of the Portrait Society of America and have received the “Best Portfolio” award twice, a Certificate of Merit in the International Portrait Competition, and an Honorable Mention in the members only Self-Portrait Competition. I have also received Honorable Mentions in plein air event “Quick Draw” competitions at Paint Annapolis and Plein Air Easton.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… James Richards… (& Happy 1st Day of Summer!)

On June 21, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Summer Fun by James Richards

Today is the first day of summer (which is the summer solstice… the longest day of the year). You will see light a wee bit longer today.

Speaking of light… James Richards, an awesome plein air painter who’s style I adore has been turning out some incredible beach scenes. They are loose and leave something to your imagination which is part of the beauty of his work. Can’t you just feel the sun beating down upon you in this painting? Hear the ocean and the buzz of excitement from the people? Feel a bit relaxed after looking at this? I can even feel the water lapping at my ankles as the tide goes in and out… I love how Jim’s work allows you to use your imagination in the people’s faces. I think it’s amazing how he has the ability to do that. (Image above from JRichardsStudio.com)

Charleston Shadows by James Richards

My husband and I met Jim at an art walk at Galerie on Broad in Charleston, SC. Jim was giving a demo that just blew us away. Every piece of his work was fabulous. If you’re in the Charleston area I highly encourage you to check it out. STUNNING. Charleston work that isn’t typical. He’s got a nice edge that makes it different and fresh. (Image above from Galerie on Broad).

Jim has a great website, one worth checking out. I especially love his Word From James tab… what a cool guy!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret… Jim is giving a Plein Air Workshop in France August 4 – 18, 2013… there are only a few spots left. You must read about it! Talk about a breathtaking experience! Other than airfare, it’s all inclusive, meaning food, lodging, wine, travel once you get there from painting location to location is all covered in the price! Two weeks. France. Learning from Jim Richards?!! Grab the open spot while you can!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Grab a few Beers at the show – Gleason Fine Art! June 20-27, 2013!

On June 19, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Burton’s Cottage by Kevin Beers

Kevin Beers. Master of painting all things Monhegan. Kevin’s paintings truly make you feel as if you are walking down the road on the island you have grown to love. Every detail is present.

It was always fun watching Kevin walking down the road with his biggee size canvas, setting up to start back where he left off the day before. Exact same time and place, so that the lighting is the same. As you’ll read below, Kevin met his wife (and fellow artist) Amy on Monhegan and they married there a few years later. Very cool story!

Kevin is probably most known for his Monhegan lighthouse scenes, which are incredible, but here is another favorite, and one that will instantly resonate with you if you’ve ever been to Monhegan!

Wharf with Trucks by Kevin Beers

When you arrive on the island, the boat drops you at the wharf. There you’ll see the trucks waiting to take your bags to various hotels or homes. There’s always a lot of action down on the wharf and its a great place to hang out, just stay out of the way!

Here’s are the details about Kevin’s show from Gleason Fine Art gallery:

JUNE 20 – JULY 27, 2013 in Boothbay Harbor

KEVIN BEERS: Monhegan Island
Oils of Monhegan Island

Reception: Friday, July 5, 2013, 5-7 PM

Artist Talk: Kevin Beers, Thursday, July 11, 4-5:30

I found some information about the show in the Wiscasset Newspaper:

Beginning Thursday, June 20, landscape painter Kevin Beers joins ceramicist Tim Christensen for two new shows at Gleason Fine Art’s Boothbay Harbor gallery. For Beers, this will be his 12th solo show at the Gleason gallery, and for Christensen, his second solo show in Boothbay Harbor. A public reception for both artists will be held at the Townsend Avenue gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 5.

Each summer, Brooklyn resident Kevin Beers returns to the rock-bound island of Monhegan to paint for five months. Monhegan has come to mean a lot to Beers. It is where Beers transformed a passion for painting into his life’s work. It is also where Beers met his wife, Amy Raye, who, in a scene right out of a Hepburn and Tracy romantic comedy, literally ran into Beers while admiring a magazine article about Beers painting on Monhegan. Fittingly, Beers and Raye married on their island a couple summers after their serendipitous meeting.

To his many collectors, a Beers painting represents everything they love about Maine: intense blue seas and skies, puffy white clouds and sunlight dancing off neat clapboard houses. To Beers himself, “Monhegan is a dazzling place with incredible, beautiful light. I love to paint the buildings on the island – the color and structure of weathered buildings, the patterns of sunlight and shadow, and the sharp contrast between a red roof, white clapboards, and bright blue sky.” [Read more HERE]

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image Credits: GleasonFineArt.com

Featured Artist… Jason Sacran!

On June 17, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Lit Up by Jason Sacran – Image: Waterhouse Gallery

Jason Sacran shows his amazing talent with his nocturnes. They are stunning. The first one that caught my eye, After Dark, was so striking… when the image opened, I saw it was already sold (I like to try to feature paintings that are still for sale if possible). After Dark won BEST OF SHOW and ARTIST’S CHOICE at 2012 Cedarburg Plein Air Event. Way to go Jason! The painting above, Lit Up is striking as well… I love that nighttime light, how the cool colors just bounce around the painting. Very nice!

Back Road by Jason Sacran – Image: ASingularCreation.com

Just look at that nice glowy light… Fabulous! Little nuances like the marks in the road, just make it that much better! Of course Jason can paint just about anything… I was concentrating on his plein air pieces, because I always go to those for any artist… they’re looser and just so darn good, especially since I know all the hard work that comes with standing in the heat/cold with bugs/birds/etc. Someone should make little bubble studios that you can pop up at a moments notice, like being outside, but with no bugs… maybe some AC… a ladies room would be nice, and hey, while I’m dreaming, a little fridge… coffeepot… Oh never mind! (K.D. see why I have trouble painting plein air, hee).

Read a blip about Jason from his website, (check it out… very nice!):

BIOGRAPHY

Jason Sacran has a BFA in painting from Tennessee Tech University, and credits towards an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Jason and his family live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was the curator for the Fort Smith Art Center for almost three years. In 2010 Jason became a full-time artist/painter, and part-time instructor for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Jason is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. He has had several exhibitions and been awarded many times for his works and achievements including a first place award in the Portrait Society of Americas 2011 Members Competition, Best of Show in the 2010 Wisconsin Plein Air Painter Association Annual Competition and Best of Show in the 2010 Winthrop Rockefeller Institution Invitational. Although known for his figurative and portrait work, Jason is quickly rising as a top plein air painter, and considers plein air one of, if not his favorite subject.

STATEMENT

In general, my work is about the process of creating by painting subjects that evoke a mood or feeling introspectively. I am interested in documenting things of today, mostly with overlooked or even forgotten aspects of everyday life – scenes we pass by every day, objects we often use, people we know well, but hardly ever think twice about. In the chaos of daily life, I believe we all take the simple and familiar things for granted. Sometimes they are the very things we come to miss.

I couldn’t agree more! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Gary Bodner!

On June 14, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment

Stars and Stripes by Gary Bodner – Image: Anne Irwin Fine Art

Here’s a different take on the flag for Flag Day… Gary Bodner’s work is fresh and different… He’s got a great website, I encourage you to check out his work. This is quite interesting. I’m really liking the composition and colors! It’s a bright and happy piece! Gary’s work is in several galleries throughout the country, click HERE for a list…

Here’s a blip about Gary from his website:

Gary Bodner is the quintessential renaissance man. Bodner studied architecture at Miami University of Ohio before entering Chicago Medical School. He earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and aside from his Medical Practice he has been working on his artistic craft for well over 15 years.

Bodner finds inspirations for his work in nearly everything he encounters; From photographs to wildlife to traveling to visiting museums and reading and studying art books. Bodner enjoys painting all things from stills to landscapes to figures. He particularly enjoys painting flowers and when asked about some of his specific floral paintings he said, “I really enjoy trying to create my own hybrid flower in a masculine way”.

Due to his enormous energy and passion for his art, Bodner finds time to paint early in the morning, and late in the evening and on weekends. He describes his work as strong and colorful with an expressionistic style. “The power of juxtaposing or placing one color on top of another to create an image is what drives my paintings,” he says. Primarily Bodner considers himself a colorist and is constantly looking for the interplay of colors on his canvases. He says he has been inspired by works of Cezzanne, Van Gogh and Philip Johnson, architect. His medium is ever involving and he is currently exploring the use of oil based house paint. Bodner says, “The color combinations possible with the mixture of paints is something that really drives me”.

Bodner was recently honored by the Huntsville Museum of Art as the “Painter of the Year”. Additionally, he has been featured in several magazines including American Collector and he also created illustrated paintings for the Bremen Museum Cookbook. Aside from creating his own art, he also holds advanced painting workshops where he helps other aspiring artists reach their creative potential. Bodner is a nationally collected artist and his work can be found in many galleries throughout the United States.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Plein Air Richmond, June 10-15, 2013!

On June 11, 2013June 10, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

Plein Air Richmond started yesterday, but you’re in luck… it goes through Saturday, June 15, 2013! There are so many fabulous artists involved in this event, if you’re anywhere near Richmond, VA you won’t want to miss it! Above is a list of artists for 2013 from the Plein Air Richmond Facebook page.

From the Plein Air Richmond website:

Plein Air Artists from all over the United States will meet in Richmond for one amazing Week in June to create paintings in support of the Richmond Symphony.

A Week-Long “Painting Out”: June 10-13, 2013 – Click here to view daily locations
Watch the 45 specially juried plein air painters set up easels all over our historic city create hundreds of paintings.

Ticketed Collector’s Preview Sale and Awards: June 14

Exhibit Continues at Brazier Gallery June 15 and June 16

“Fast and Fresh” : June 15
Location: 1800 Block of Monument Avenue. Three blocks around the Lee Monument.

On Saturday from 9 am – 11am juried and non-juried artists will start and complete paintings. These “wet” paintings will be available for purchase right off the easels with proceeds benefitting the Symphony.

This is an amazing opportunity… Steve Doherty (editor for Plein Air magazine, one of my all time favorites) is a judge. This man knows art… he is amazing! This will be an outstanding event, one I wish we had in Charleston, SC. With our strong art community, why not?

Here are just a few of the oh-so-talented artists that will be part of Plein Air Richmond:

Ken DeWaard

This guy can paint anything. He is a joy to watch and makes painting look so easy! Each and every stroke is deliberate, he transforms a canvas… watch for him if you go! He also has some fabulous workshops coming in the future, so keep an eye out if you’re interested in that sort of thing! He has a great entry on his blog about this painting!

Working the Double Shift by Ken DeWaard – Image:KenDeWaard.com

Shelby Keefe – wonderful artist, she also has a workshop coming up in September…

Alterations by Shelby Keefe – Image: StudioShelby.com

Anne Blair Brown – I love her loose style. Here is her workshop schedule…

Marketability by Anne Blair Brown – Image: BrazierGallery.com

Larry Moore, who shows locally at Horton Hayes Fine Art in Charleston, SC… this painting was done for Plein Air Easton, whoa! Here is his workshop schedule…

The Apprentice by Larry Moore – Image: LarryMooreStudios.com

Ok, that was only FOUR of the amazing artists that will be at Plein Air Richmond… I look forward to hearing about it soon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Margaret Lawrence!

On June 10, 2013December 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist3 Comments

Midday On The Pond by Margaret Lawrence – Image: Greenhut Galleries

Margaret has some fantastically serene paintings. Each is different yet all instill a sense of calm. I like that. The world is hectic enough, it’s nice to look at something and say “ahhhhhh”.

Reading Margaret’s bio, it looks like she was a nurse (or still is?), then studied photography and painting… well done Margaret, your paintings have such interest. They are utterly amazing!

A blip about Margaret from the Greenhut Galleries website:

Inspired by nature and the energy and mystery of the life cycle, my paintings are developed by removing paint as much as by applying it.

Through the give and take of the paint an image emerges that tells a story or marks time.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

You might need this for the weekend…

On June 8, 2013June 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART1 Comment

We’re already having tropical weather here in Charleston, SC – so it’s not too likely you will be sitting out enjoying the beach this weekend… so you may need this photo so you can at least imagine that you’re in a nice calm and peaceful area! (Update: Can you tell I wrote this post ahead of time? It was supposed to be horrible here… turned out to be beautiful last night… but here’s some good info for the next time it rains…)

If you’re looking for things to do… how about gallery hop in Charleston? Lots of good galleries, most are fairly close to each other… Hope to see you there!

May I say… these shoes might come in handy (previous post)…

Have a great weekend – Catch you back here tomorrow!