"The 4th of July"I think the white peonies really make the piece - it's beautiful. The show is from January 15th to March 28th. If you're in the area, check it out.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Kudos to Susan Reed!
Her painting "The 4th of July" was accepted into the "The Best and the Brightest" Juried Exhibition and Sale 2010 at the Scottsdale Artists' School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"The 4th of July"
I think the white peonies really make the piece - it's beautiful. The show is from January 15th to March 28th. If you're in the area, check it out.
"The 4th of July"I think the white peonies really make the piece - it's beautiful. The show is from January 15th to March 28th. If you're in the area, check it out.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Only a few days left...
...to check out Cyndi McCoy's wonderful show at the Fraser Valley Library. I'm sorry for this late post, but if you can get to the library before the end of the month you won't be disappointed.
I'm not sure what's up with my camera - all the pics I took had an orangish cast...the wall is off white.
Cyndi's collage pieces are very thoughtful and full of good humor - to say nothing of great craftmanship.
Here's one of my favorites:
Like I said, I'm sorry these photos aren't the best! Her work is thought provoking.
I'm not sure what's up with my camera - all the pics I took had an orangish cast...the wall is off white.
Cyndi's collage pieces are very thoughtful and full of good humor - to say nothing of great craftmanship.Here's one of my favorites:
Like I said, I'm sorry these photos aren't the best! Her work is thought provoking.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
For you jewelers...
Check out this link to Kate Mckinnon's sale page. She has a lot of fun and funky jewelry components for sale.
$10.00
$25.00 - On Sale
$14.00 - On Sale She also has some finished pieces:
$60.00 - On Sale The above photos and descriptions are from her site. She's going to be adding new items until the end of the year. She calls it her "soul clearing sale" - she's getting rid of stuff she's been carrying around for years and passing it on to someone who will put it to use.
Things are going fast, so check it out soon!
$10.00 A nice string of green resin leaves, along with a couple of handmade glass beads and a few pretties.
$25.00 - On Sale A set of five lovely cabs; each one interesting enough to be set in a ring. Bought over the years, for their beauty. A very nice price for the set.
$14.00 - On SaleMixed delights for Your delight. Included are TWO sets of niobium ear wires, a brass pod set suitable for holding a photo under resin, a vintage brass beadcap, a lobster clasp with ring, and four sterling silver rings, both jump and soldered.
Whee!
$60.00 - On SaleTwo fierce, fabulous rings, handmade in pure fine silver. One layered Knobby Stacker, with five slender MC rings kiln-fused together, and four fused fine silver rings fused together, and evenly forged.
The Knobby Stacker is a size 7ish (oval rings have a little size play) and the Fused Stacker is an 8ish. If you want to wear them together, be a size 7ish and wear the 8 in the back. It will move silkily on your finger and the size 7ish will keep it in place. I have worn these rings this morning, together on my middle finger, and they are excellent.
I might keep them warm for you all day.
Things are going fast, so check it out soon!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Kseniya Simonova
A friend sent me this link:
I love how she quickly depicts emotion with sand.
According to Wickipedia she was born in 1985 as Ксения Симонова and is a sand animator from Ukraine. She started drawing with sand after her business collapsed due to the early 21st century credit crunch and had been drawing for less than a year when she entered "Ukraine's Got Talent". She became the 2009 Winner of "Ukraine's Got Talent", constructing an animation that portrayed life during USSR's Great Patriotic War against the Third Reich in World War II. She won first place and received the equivalent of $125,000 US dollars.
This is the verbiage that came with the original email: "This video shows the winner of "Ukraine's Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.
The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about £75,000.
She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated.
It is replaced by a woman's face crying, but then a baby arrives and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman's face appears.
She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier.
This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is looking out on the monument from within a house.
In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye.
The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine , resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.
Kseniya Simonova says:
"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me.. The art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some audience members to tears.. And there's surely no bigger compliment.""
I love how she quickly depicts emotion with sand.
According to Wickipedia she was born in 1985 as Ксения Симонова and is a sand animator from Ukraine. She started drawing with sand after her business collapsed due to the early 21st century credit crunch and had been drawing for less than a year when she entered "Ukraine's Got Talent". She became the 2009 Winner of "Ukraine's Got Talent", constructing an animation that portrayed life during USSR's Great Patriotic War against the Third Reich in World War II. She won first place and received the equivalent of $125,000 US dollars.
This is the verbiage that came with the original email: "This video shows the winner of "Ukraine's Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.
The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about £75,000.
She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated.
It is replaced by a woman's face crying, but then a baby arrives and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman's face appears.
She quickly becomes an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier.
This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is looking out on the monument from within a house.
In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye.
The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine , resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.
Kseniya Simonova says:
"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me.. The art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some audience members to tears.. And there's surely no bigger compliment.""
Monday, December 7, 2009
Joining a Group
by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.
We artists tend to be solitary - whether by choice or necessity. Creativity comes from within and we tend to work alone. Yet, we have a need to connect with and associate with others. Because we are so isolated in our work, it is easy to become ensnared by the web of virtual relationships. This does fill a need we have. I don't argue the benefits of online associations, but there are also other ways to fill this need.
One such way is to join a group of artists - whether formal or informal. Become a member. There are many artist organizations out there.
Types of Organizations
Invitational
You must be invited to join this type of group. The standards are usually (not always) high. This is intended to preserve the integrity of the parameters set by the group.
Juried
Some organizations are open to the jury process. The intent is likewise to maintain a certain level established by the group. Because the jury is usually open to anyone, there is a better chance of getting your work considered.
Loosely Organized Friends
This is an informal association with like-minded friends. As an organization, there usually isn't an agenda. Some will just paint together on occasion. Others will just get together for lunch. Some discuss art theory. Others visit museums together. Most do a combination of these and other things.
Critique Groups
Usually on a local level, these are typically easy to get involved with. You bring a work of art to be critiqued by the group.
Marketing or Business Groups
Also usually on a local level and easy to become involved with, these groups are designed to help each other with the business side of things. Some are specific to the arts, some are open to a broader range of businesses.
The list could go on.
Why should you join?
Camaraderie
It is great to gain friendships and associate with like-minded individuals. Other artists understand you in ways that most other people cannot - including your spouse. You share encouragement among each other. These friendships can go far beyond the world of art.
Networking
You never know where connections may lead. I have gained opportunities because of someone I know. You may also be introduced to someone else through a common friend who will invite you to participate in an event. The more you network, the more likely opportunities will come down the road.
Exhibitions
Some organizations have exhibition opportunities. Some are juried, some invitational, some are open to all members of the group. It is a great way to get your work on display and seen by collectors.
Resume
For some, membership in a specific group may be important to your resume. I know an artist who entered year after year to a certain annual exhibit, but was always denied. The year he became a member of a prestigious group, he was invited to participate in that exhibit (the exhibit is unaffiliated with the group). The exhibit organizers placed value (for right or wrong) in his membership in the group. It legitimized him in the organization's eyes.
Again, the list could go on.
Is the Group Right for You?
Groups are designed for a certain purpose. You may or may not gain value from membership or participation. Consider what it will do for you.
· Is the group local, regional, or national?
· If national, will you realistically be able to participate as a member?
· Are there membership dues or fees?
· Is the objective of the group consistent with your objectives as an artist?
· Are you ready for the level of commitment?
· Have you outgrown the group?
· Will you truly benefit from the group?
· Will the group limit you?
Once again, the list goes on.
Choose your memberships carefully. Don't just join to have another thing on the resume. Join if it will benefit you, or you can provide value to the group - better still, both. You can't be involved in everything, so choose the very best.
by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.
We artists tend to be solitary - whether by choice or necessity. Creativity comes from within and we tend to work alone. Yet, we have a need to connect with and associate with others. Because we are so isolated in our work, it is easy to become ensnared by the web of virtual relationships. This does fill a need we have. I don't argue the benefits of online associations, but there are also other ways to fill this need.
One such way is to join a group of artists - whether formal or informal. Become a member. There are many artist organizations out there.
Types of Organizations
Invitational
You must be invited to join this type of group. The standards are usually (not always) high. This is intended to preserve the integrity of the parameters set by the group.
Juried
Some organizations are open to the jury process. The intent is likewise to maintain a certain level established by the group. Because the jury is usually open to anyone, there is a better chance of getting your work considered.
Loosely Organized Friends
This is an informal association with like-minded friends. As an organization, there usually isn't an agenda. Some will just paint together on occasion. Others will just get together for lunch. Some discuss art theory. Others visit museums together. Most do a combination of these and other things.
Critique Groups
Usually on a local level, these are typically easy to get involved with. You bring a work of art to be critiqued by the group.
Marketing or Business Groups
Also usually on a local level and easy to become involved with, these groups are designed to help each other with the business side of things. Some are specific to the arts, some are open to a broader range of businesses.
The list could go on.
Why should you join?
Camaraderie
It is great to gain friendships and associate with like-minded individuals. Other artists understand you in ways that most other people cannot - including your spouse. You share encouragement among each other. These friendships can go far beyond the world of art.
Networking
You never know where connections may lead. I have gained opportunities because of someone I know. You may also be introduced to someone else through a common friend who will invite you to participate in an event. The more you network, the more likely opportunities will come down the road.
Exhibitions
Some organizations have exhibition opportunities. Some are juried, some invitational, some are open to all members of the group. It is a great way to get your work on display and seen by collectors.
Resume
For some, membership in a specific group may be important to your resume. I know an artist who entered year after year to a certain annual exhibit, but was always denied. The year he became a member of a prestigious group, he was invited to participate in that exhibit (the exhibit is unaffiliated with the group). The exhibit organizers placed value (for right or wrong) in his membership in the group. It legitimized him in the organization's eyes.
Again, the list could go on.
Is the Group Right for You?
Groups are designed for a certain purpose. You may or may not gain value from membership or participation. Consider what it will do for you.
· Is the group local, regional, or national?
· If national, will you realistically be able to participate as a member?
· Are there membership dues or fees?
· Is the objective of the group consistent with your objectives as an artist?
· Are you ready for the level of commitment?
· Have you outgrown the group?
· Will you truly benefit from the group?
· Will the group limit you?
Once again, the list goes on.
Choose your memberships carefully. Don't just join to have another thing on the resume. Join if it will benefit you, or you can provide value to the group - better still, both. You can't be involved in everything, so choose the very best.
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