Category: ART

Artist to watch… Jill Carver!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image from artist’s website – JillCarver.com

Jill Carver. I love her work, it’s got such a neat twist to it. One look and you can tell this artist is a pro. I’m familiar with her work from South Street Art Gallery’s website, facinating! The image being featured is “Winter Harmony” Matter-of-fact here’s a blip about Jill from South Street Art Gallery’s website:

Jill Carver – Originally from England, Jill Carver moved to the United States in 2002 following a twelve-year career as a research assistant at the National Portrait Gallery in London.  She now divides her time between Austin, Texas and Rico, Colorado.  Recognition for her work has come quickly, and she has won numerous awards including “Artists Choice” most recently at the Laguna Beach Invitational in 2009, also at Telluride in 2009 and at Plein Air Easton! in 2008.  The Art Academy Museum in Easton, Maryland has purchased two of her paintings for its permanent collection.

A self-confessed “addict” to outdoor painting, she frequently packs up her pick-up truck and two dogs for “hunter-gatherer” painting trips across the West.  “I spend as much time walking and observing and sketching as I do painting. It tunes me into the landscape. My first step is exploring and just looking.  I do hours of that, and I find lots of paintings as a result.  You pay attention to what your mind keeps wandering back to.”

Although Jill painted often as a child, she never really thought she would pursue art for a living, and majored in British history at the University of Sheffield in England.  After graduation she worked briefly as an art teacher only during the period she was applying for “real” jobs.  During the next 12 years she continued to paint while working in the archives at the National Portrait Gallery in London. But after a four month painting sabbatical in New Zealand, she returned to London, and married American Larry Carver who encouraged her to start her painting career after their move to Texas.  Inspired and taught by Scott Christensen, successes came quickly to Jill, and awards followed.

In January 2009, the editors of Southwest Art Magazine named Carver as one of ten artists to watch.  Peter Trippi, editor of Fine Art Connoisseur, named her as one of three artists to watch in the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of FAC. In 2009 she was invited as ‘guest artist’ to participate in the prestigious Maynard Dixon Country event in Mount Carmel, Utah and in 2010 she returned as an ‘invited artist’.

The artist also has a great website, she’s in several galleries, and is teaching a few workshops. If you get a chance check her out!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Marlee Brown!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist, TRAVELLeave a comment
Image: MarleeBrown.com

One year when vacationing on Mackinac Island, MI (ohhh, what a place!), we ventured into the Grand Hotel… I was completely against paying $10 per person to walk through a hotel, but we did it, and am I ever glad we did! I’m not sure what the fee is these days to enter through the door, but if you’re considering it, I would do it! We had lunch at a nice little cafe, it was very quaint, very good, we had the best time. We wandered the halls of the Grand Hotel and there was so much to see! They have wonderful shops and a fantastic gallery. Marlee Brown’s gallery… this is an artist not afraid of color! Very loose and impressionistic in style her paintings were fabulous. The image above is from her website, the image that you click on to view the paintings. I love that painting AND the quote. If you get a chance check it out! And if you’re on the island, her gallery is a definite stop worth making!

Enjoy your weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Visit my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Plein Air Easton (MD) – 7/18/11 – 7/24/11 – CHECK IT OUT!

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
Image: PleinAirEaston.com

Well folks, if you’re in the area of Easton, Maryland, have I got news for you! Plein Air Easton will be happening from 7/18/11-7/24/11. If you get a chance DO NOT MISS THIS! There are so many talented artists it will boggle your mind… Personally I’m looking out for my buddy Tim Bell as well as his friend (and ours) Ken DeWaard… both accomplished painters, they will be in Easton working their magic in front of crowds of people! I am a big fan! WOOHOO!

 Here’s more information on the Quick Draw event, which I would LOVE to be at! (Info from www.pleinaireaston.com):
Quick Draw For All AgesDowntown Easton, S. Harrison St. between Glenwood Avenue (aka Church Alley) and South StreetSat., July 23, 10am-12pm – registered artists paint
12pm-2pm – exhibit and sale (paintings will remain on display until 2pm; rain location Christ Church Parish Hall)
1:30pm – awards announcedEverything about the Quick Draw is quick. More than 160 artists, competition painters, professionals, amateurs and the simply adventurous compete and have fun. These artists have only six blocks and two hours to complete their works. During this short time, all registered Quick Draw participants will set up their supplies and paint, draw, or sculpt en plein air in downtown Easton.
See the map of the area in which artisits may paint here.
This is one of the most compelling experiences of the week. Together, artists and spectators are immersed in the creative process. See the scenes and how the artists interpret them. Smell the wet paint and get caught up in the excitement of watching a painting come to life before your eyes.

The exhibit is held en plein air on Harrison St. and paintings are exhibited on the easels on which they were created. The paintings will be judged by Plein Air-Easton! Competition Judge, M.Stephen Doherty , and awards will be presented at 1:30pm. The exhibit and all of its paintings will be removed at 2:00pm. This is your only opportunity to view and purchase these works.

This event is open to anyone.

How exciting! If you’re lucky enough to attend, let me know how it went! Click HERE to see this years list of featured artists!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World and the Olson House at the Farnsworth Museum!

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
A Wyeth study for Christina's World - FarnsworthMuseum.org

Something I wouldn’t miss for the world if I were in the area! (Info from FarnsworthMuseum.org):

June 11, 2011 – October 30, 2011
The Wyeth Center

Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Farnsworth’s acquisition of the Olson House, scheduled in 2011 to be named a National Historic Landmark, this exhibition features approximately fifty watercolors and drawings depicting Alvaro and Christina Olson and the Cushing, Maine house in which they lived. The focus is on Alvaro’s and Christina’s lives at what has become known as the Olson House, seen through the eyes of Andrew Wyeth. The works wil not only include interior and exterior views of the house and the surrounding land, memorialized in Wyeth’s iconic painting Christina’s World (which hangs at the Museum of Modern Art and will not be a part of this exhibition,) but also twelve preparatory drawings and drafts of the famed work. All the works, with the exception of a select group from the Farnsworth, are from the collection of the Marunuma Art Park in Asaka, Japan. These works have rarely been seen in the United States.
Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World and the Olson House is organized by Farnsworth Chief Curator Michael K. Komanecky with a fully illustrated catalogue published by the Farnsworth Art Museum.

This exhibition has been made possible in part through the generous support of the following lead sponsors: Tina and Joe Pyne; Arete Foundation/Betsy and Ed Cohen. Additional exhibition support was provided by Mr. Richard Gilder and Ms. Lois Chiles; Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon; Mr. and Mrs. George Twigg III.

Catch you back here tomorrow!!

Olson House depicted in Christina’s World now a national landmark…

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
Image: Maps.Google.com

News from the art world… if you’ve missed the paper the past few weeks, here’s an update… as reported by AP.

 An old weather beaten farmhouse that sits in Cushing, Maine, the scene of one of Andrew Wyeth’s most famous paintings, and one of the most famous paintings of the 20th century is now officially a national landmark.
 
The Olson House is where Andrew painted CHRISTINA’S WORLD (among others) back in 1948.  He painted Christina Olson (who lived in this house), who suffered from some sort of muscular disease thought to be polio, she was unable to walk and had resorted to crawling at times. There are so many interesting stories that go along with Christina’s World, I will save for another post… You can visit the Olson house via the Farnsworth Museum. The house is open June – October.
 
Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Ocean House Gallery open today (7/15/11) in Port Clyde, ME…

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
Image: OceanHouseHotel.com

Today marks the opening of the Ocean House Gallery (at the Ocean House Hotel, overlooking the harbor in Port Clyde, ME). They start the season off with a reception from 5-7PM featuring watercolors by artist Brad Hendershot.  If you’re in the area pop in and say hello and check out the work! This “Allure of the Sea” exhibit will be shown through July 27. If you can’t make it, check out his website!

Upcoming shows at the Ocean House Gallery are: July 29 through Aug. 10, Alice Boynton; Aug. 12 through 24, Susan Gilbert Lord; Aug. 26 through Aug. 31, Angela Anderson Pomerleau; Sept. 2 through 14, Sylvia Murdock; and Sept. 16 through 29, Jan Lipson. If you’re in the area, check them out! “The gallery is open whenever the door is open”, I love that about Maine…

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… George Pate!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: WellsGallery.com

George Pate has the most unique style. His paintings have caught my eye for a number of years now… love the little beach birds that he paints. I like how he paints Charleston scenes… not typical, it’s a style all his own. After reading about George, I see that he’s originally from Detroit, (Yay, George! Me too!) although now resides in Santa Fe… a place that is on our list to visit one day! The Wells Gallery in town carries his work, as does the Wells Gallery on Kiawah at the Sanctuary. If you get a chance stop in, if you’re out of town visit their website!

 Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance visit my photo blog… http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Edward Hopper’s Maine…

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
Image: ArtFixDaily.com

Ooooh how I love Edward Hopper’s work! His Maine paintings especially… love his version of Blackhead on Monhegan Island, ME… This painting is entitled “The Dories, Ogunquit” painted in 1914.

 
Oh how I would love to be going to this…

Brunswick, Maine- The Bowdoin College Museum of Art has organized the first comprehensive exhibition of Edward Hopper’s artistic production in Mainefrom 1914 to 1929. On view from July 15 through October 16, 2011, Edward Hopper’s Maine will showcase nearly 90 rarely exhibited paintings, watercolors, drawings, and prints that provide an exhaustive look at Hopper’s work during this period. Hopper’sMaine paintings span two critical decades of the artist’s career, yet have never been studied as a unified body of work and are often overlooked in favor of his better-known paintings from the 1930s forward. This long-overdue exhibition will present Hopper’sMaine oeuvre together for the first time, reexamining and demonstrating its significance to his later production. The Bowdoin College Museum of Art will be the exhibition’s sole venue. Click here to get the rest of the story: http://www.artfixdaily.com/artwire/release/8089-bowdoin-college-museum-of-art-presents-edward-hoppers-maine

Enjoy your weekend! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Scott Mattlin!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments
Image: http://scottmattlin.com

I love this painting… when I was young I remember my dad painted a ballerina… it was an oil painting and I absolutely loved it… I’m thinking he gave it to my grandma (his mother-in-law)… (hmmm, wonder what happened to that painting?)  I admired it so much and wanted to be a ballerina when I grew up. Well I grew up… I did take many years of ballet classes, but then, like the piano lessons life got busy and I stopped. Oh how I wish I never stopped! The artist, Scott Mattlin captures his subjects beautifully and in such a loose style which explains all the red dots I suppose. I try to pick one that isn’t sold, however, this one IS sold, but I loved it, so… If you get a chance, check out his website! Judging by his website he’s a cool guy, with a really neat story as to how he became an artist and the path he took. I admire his journey! This guy is from Denver, CO but teaches workshops in different areas… check him out!

 
Catch you back here tomorrow, if you get a chance check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… STAPLETON KEARNS!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: StapletonKearnsGallery.com

Stapleton Kearns, many of you have heard of him. His blog is both entertaining as well as a wealth of inspiration. His paintings are dynamic! I’m featuring a snow scene, frankly because I think we need it… kind of like a Christmas in July type thing. When it’s hot out nice cool snow is so appealing! I’d like to go make a few snow angels myself! This is a neat nocturnal painting… it looks safe, and the warm lights reflecting in the snow make the house seem cozy. Yep, this is the kind of painting I needed to see today! If you get a chance, check out Stapleton’s website!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… JULIA NICHOLS!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: JMNichol.com

On our first visit to Maine, many years ago, we met a wonderful artist. We were at the fall L.L. Bean Art Show in Freeport, ME. The show was huge, with many great artists, but one stood out… her name? JULIA NICHOLS. Check out her website (click HERE). Her paintings are so DIFFERENT, so fantastic… we loved one that was of a road on Monhegan Island with two walkers. It reminded us of, well… US! We called her the following year to see if we could stop by and see some of her work, and guess what? We did and that painting was still available! We bought it, had the best visit and still love to follow her work. Check out Julia’s website, and if you’re in Yarmouth, Maine, give her a call! She’s as nice as they come!

Catch you back here tomorrow!
 
Also… Http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… KEN AUSTER!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: NewMastersGallery.com

This weeks artist to watch… KEN AUSTER. Extremely talented… He has a wonderful website, check it out, (click HERE). This painting is entitled “GOT WATER?” – I love the names of his paintings! This is so simple yet so elegant. SIMPLY amazing for sure. This painting is at the New Masters Gallery located in Carmel, CA. I know last time we were in San Francisco we stopped at the Thomas Reynolds Gallery hoping to see his work, but when we arrived they were closed for lunch, so it didn’t work out that year, maybe next time we visit! If you get a chance, check out Ken’s work. I think you will be equally impressed.

Catch you back here tomorrow!
 

Funny sign Saturday…

On By Barbara StroudIn ARTLeave a comment
"The Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. Painted c.1503-6. Oil paint on wood. Size: 30x20" (77x53cm). This famous painting is now in the collection of the Louvre in Paris.

 Here are some fun facts from www.socialstudiesforkids.com regarding Mona Lisa:

The famous painting done by Leonardo Da Vinci that everyone calls the Mona Lisa is not really called that. Its real title is La Gioconda.

The woman in the painting was the wife of a man named Francesco del Gioconda, and so the painting was titled, by its creator La Gioconda. It was known for a time as the Madonna Lisa, which probably explains why it has its present name.

Leonardo created this painting over many years, beginning in 1503. When he finished it is debated by historians. During this time, he also was painting many other things, building sculptures, and making new inventions.

As for her famous smile, art historians still debate why she is smiling and what that smile represents. Everyone who sees the painting probably has his or her own ideas.

One last thing: Did you ever notice that the woman in this most of paintings has no eyebrows? It’s true. Look closely. Women at that time were considered more beautiful if they had their eyebrows shaved.

Catch you back here tomorrow!!

Artist to watch… Aleksander Titovits!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured ArtistLeave a comment
Image: EllaRichardson.com

Aleksander Titovits. A Russian artist with such talent. This is an artist that we’ve been following for quite some time now. His snow scenes intrigue me… maybe because I grew up in Michigan, with snow, and for the past 22 years have lived where you can literally count the snowflakes… his snow scenes make you feel as if YOU. ARE. THERE. I love the warmth in this one, that perfect golden light that makes everything look just right. Aptly named WARM EVENING, this painting is another example of the talent that exudes from Titovits. In Charleston his work is shown at the Ella Richardson Gallery. In Austin, Tx his work is shown at the Gallery Shoal Creek, they have a nice bio on Aleksander, very interesting (click HERE to read).

Something I learned while researching for this post… Did you know that Aleksander was commissioned to paint Laura Bush’s portrait for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery? Click HERE to read a fabulous article about the unveiling…

Catch you back here tomorrow!