Galleries and Shops - Update

I've been busy after our May 6th exhibition and sale with some marketing ventures....I'm glad to say that I have original paintings on display in two locations locally and a few more to come soon.

Saturday I dropped off 4 pieces to Five Island Gallery in Tors Cove. They are located on 7 Cove Road in Tors Cove in the old schoohouse with a fabulous view of the bay and islands. I met with Owner/Operator Laura Coultas in the morning and left the following original paintings with her for the Gallery - Afloat, Aristotle's Lantern, Bog Dweller, and Off the Beaten Path. It is a lovely drive to Tors Cove (and beyond)....drop in to visit with Laura or her parents and take a look at some great artwork by many local artists.

The second stop was to The Bird House and Binocular Shop at 124 Duckworth Street in the heart of downtown St. John's. I had contacted the Bird House as I enjoy painting birds (and other wildlife) and thought my paintings would fit well with the store. I met with Babs Taylor and she was very excited by my original artwork and she even decided to take some paintings that didn't feature birds (a butterfly and dragonfly) as well as some prints, photography, and hand-painted glass suncatchers. She was very excited about my artwork and the birds I featured and I have a few more in mind to paint shortly. You can view my original artworks - Blue (blue jay), Keeping Watch (puffin), Wren & Cattails, Out of the Fog (loon), Swallowtail (butterfly), and Ready for Flight (darner dragonfly). She also has my prints of Viking Vinland (crow) and The Window (owl), my original photos of crows (3 different ones), and my hand-painted glass suncatchers (puffin and crow). Drop by to visit with Babs and see her wonderful store full of all things birds (and binoculars). She may even tell you a tale or sing a song for you!

I have a few more galleries and locations that will be updated and carrying my artwork by the end of May....stay tuned for further updates!

2012 Progress Update - 1st Quarter

So, the first quarter of 2012 has come and gone quickly (or so it seems) and with our Arts Northeast Exhibition & Sale in early May, I didn't have time to review the progress during the first quarter....so better late than never! Updates are in Blue Text.

 

Artist Goals 2012: To continue to find avenues to learn, produce and display artwork.

Learn:

·         Continue to increase my knowledge of various painting techniques and styles through online courses and/or local workshops. I've been participating in some webinar courses by Johannes Vloothuis, and will continue to do so throughout the year, as long as he keeps offering them...

·         Start a monthly painting challenge where we will focus on a particular technique or subject to explore. I have posted 2 painting challenges so far this year, not quite monthly...

·         Start a “create together” day once a month for the members of Arts Northeast to learn from each other, and perhaps have guest participants to increase our knowledge. Attempted, but have not been able to meet due to changing work schedules, snowbirds, and weather. Should start in June.

Produce:

·         Create a defined body of work (10-20 pieces) using a theme. Have started this...a lot of research completed and 2 pieces painted. Distracted by painting for the Arts Northeast exhibition. I had anticipated if we had 2 shows this year with Arts Northeast, then this goal will span into 2013 as well. One more is sketched out and ready to go up on the easel to paint!

·         Create up to 30 pieces of artwork for 2 exhibitions in 2012 with Arts Northeast. Created 14 new pieces for the May show. On target if we have 2 exhibitions....

·         Spend more time sketching/drawing by completing one small piece per week. Not quite one a week, but art is moving forward.

·         Complete more plein air paintings. It's Newfoundland....way to cold to venture out for this yet. This is strictly a summer/fall activity.

·         Complete several winter/Christmas theme artwork. One completed and one sketched in ready to go....

 

Display:

·         Increase my online presence through use of facebook, my website, my blog and online art stores, such as Kijiji, Fine Art America, Etsy, and Zazzle. Original artwork and photography online with Fine Art America, Etsy, and ImageKind. Prints listed on Kijiji. Now posting with Twitter. New blog set up for Arts Northeast. Completing free online tutorials on a variety of painting subjects for my website for student use.

·         Explore venues for two exhibitions with Arts Northeast. One exhibition complete...decision on second one for this year tomorrow.

·         Explore venues for exhibitions outside of the Northeast Avalon. Contacted one gallery and working on a few others.

·         Submit artwork to juried and non-juried art competitions/exhibits locally and globally. Have passed on this so far this year...subjects of local exhibits have not struck my fancy at this time.

Progress in 2012 seems to be on track...hopefully the momentum will continue.

Spring into Art - May 6th Exhibition and Sale of Art

Spring is ushered in with art

On May 6, 2012, the visual artists of Arts Northeast will exhibit new pieces of original art in a small works exhibition and sale.  Spring into Art is is open for one day from 11:00am to 5:00pm. at Admiralty House, 365 Old Placentia Road in Mount Pearl. Admission is free.

The collection for this exhibition consists of small pieces of original art, with a maximum image size of 80 square inches. This provides a perfect opportunity to invest in a small piece of art as the beginning to a collection or to add to an existing collection of original art.

Arts Northeast is a collaborative group of visual artists living on the Northeast coast of the Avalon Peninsula, created to provide inspiration, opportunities for learning, and support to its members. Dora Cooper, Joan Roberts, Michelle Whitten Lacour, Brenda Rowe and Jeanette Jobson are the exhibiting members of Arts Northeast.

The artists look forward to interacting with new buyers and connecting with existing collectors. The work has appeal to a wide range of art enthusiasts and investing in artwork in this setting is easy, enabling the public to explore a variety of fine art in one location that is priced to suit all budgets.  

The public is invited to join the artists during the day for visual taste of spring. Sunshine is guaranteed.

For interviews with participating artists or to view their work, please contact the group by e-mail artsnortheast@gmail.com or visit http://www.artsnortheastnl.com/

We look forward to seeing you there!

Challenge - The Luck 'O the Irish

So, it's the beginning of March....time sure flies when you have paintings to finish!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the first painting challenge last month of the apple on my kitchen table...I'm glad you took the time to try it.

I'm hoping for an even bigger response for this month's challenge....I think the subject is fitting for this month!

I took this picture on our trip back in July 2008 during our 30-day 25-state and 5-provinces with 4 adults in the car with a not-to-well doggie Cuddles. It was at Butchart Gardens just outside of Victoria, BC, about half-way through our driving tour....on my Mom's birthday in fact!

If you want a higher resolution pix of this photo, just pop me an e-mail and I will oblige.

And monochromatic, my fav type of painting!!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's work....dont' forget to send me your completed artwork on or before March 20th (the deadline for this challenge).

My the luck 'o the Irish be with you while you are painting!

Great Drawing Resource

Check out this great online drawing resource....Brenda Hoddinott is from Corner Brook, NL and is an acclaimed forensic artist.

Her online lessons are easy to follow and have great step-by-step pictures to help you learn.

As with painting, a good teacher and practice is the key!

http://www.drawspace.com/

A is for Apple - Challenge Results

I finished my challenge painting a few days ago but only got a chance to photograph it and post tonight.

I tried to paint it "loosy-goosy", but alas, that is quite a challenge for the obsessive compulsive painter....lol



I can see a few things I could have done differently, but challenges are to learn....so mission accomplished! It seems I like Red Delicious more than I like McIntosh! I will try another version before the deadline is up on February 20th.




Here is the original photo for reference....

I look forward to seeing everyone's painting challenge!!!

Here are another couple of my apple paintings....

This second one I decided to again try to be looser with the painting AND only give myself 10 minutes to complete the whole painting.

And then since I still had paint on my palette, I decided to revert back to my childhood and finger paint! This one is definitely looser! LOL

It seems that you can't post pix in comments of blogger, so I will post pictures for anyone who wishes to have their posted!

Some of my students have completed the challenge already.....

Here is Carol's version.....great job Carol! And nice addition of leaves!

And Ron decided to add some fun to his version....apparently Eve just shouldn't have taken that bite!

And some have asked me to post Jeanette's versions as well....here they are, just remember I have posted a link to each of these from her blog, where she explains her thoughts on each version.

Version #1 - in oils....

http://illustratedlife.blogspot.com/2012/02/red-reflection.html

And Cersion #2 in pastels....

http://illustratedlife.blogspot.com/2012/02/apple-part-ii.html

Don't forget to complete your challenge before the deadline February 20th!!! Send me your photo and I'll post it here!!!





SPECIAL SALE - Extra Chance

Due to overwhelming response, I'm giving everyone an extra chance to avail of the special discount.

Everyone who sends me an e-mail before the end of my birthday on Sunday night, will be entered into a draw for at least one more lucky winner to receive the special discount! 41% off any one item. The one item can include:
•Original artwork, framed or unframed
•Reproductions, unframed only

Good luck to all!!!