Art Information follows this announcement.
Hi Everyone,
This coming Monday, May 3rd we will be painting at Theatre 101 in Port Orford.
Noon - 3 pm. Lani will be our model so we will be painting unclothed figurative this time. Theatre 101 is located at 1320 Oregon Street (Hwy 101) in the Seaside Plaza, Port Orford.
Thanks to Georganne White for coordinating the PO paintouts. It's is wonderful to be able to paint from models once a month.
Hope to see you there....the fee for model and place is $65 so the more artists participating, the less it costs each of us.
I had the opportunity to visit these Eugene galleries this week and recommend them all: The Living Rivers Show at Jacobs Gallery --includes Elaine Roemen work, the Print Show at DIVA-- co-produced by Clare Fox, and the Nelson Sandgren prints and monotypes at Karin Clarke Gallery. Definitely worth the trip.
Thanks. Happy creating.
Ava
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Art Information:
Calls to Artists:
Deadline to deliver art May 7-10th during store hours.
Easy Lane Frames & Select Art
3440 Broadway Ave, North Bend, OR 541-756-7638
Theme: "One of My Favorites" 16"x20" maximum size
artists welcome to enter--no entry fee. Show runs through July 5.
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May 1, 2010 application deadline
Brookings Harbor Festival of the Arts --Artists Wanted
http://www.artfestcoast.com or email artfestival@nwtec.com or call 541-469-7120
Event is Saturday, August 7th & Sunday, August 8th
Participating artists will be selected by a jury and given the opportunity to fill a 10' x 10' space for a fee. Artist demonstrations during the festival are encouraged. Space is limited.
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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Submission deadline for 17th Annual Maritime Art Exhibit
Coos Art Museum. http://www.coosart.org or 541-267-3901
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Deadline May 24-May 30th
2nd Street Gallery
Second annual "Miniature & Small Works Exhibition"
June 1 - July 25, 2010
Drop off up to 3 works May 24th--May 30th 1:00 - 5:00 p.m off at 2nd Street Gallery.
Miniature--no bigger than 8" in any direction, excluding frame. Small works--no bigger than 14" in any direction, excluding frame.
For more information and entry forms please go to gallery, or call 541-347-4133, or e-mail info@2ndstreetgallery.com
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June 4, 2010 submission deadline
4th Annual Hundred Valleys Show at
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
1624 W. Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471
No Theme http://www.uvarts.com click on artist opportunities
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June 4, 2010 submission deadline
1st Annual Best Photo 2010 juried show
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
1624 W. Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471
http://www.uvarts.com click on artist opportunities, scroll down
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June 4, 2010 postmark submission deadline
West Coast Wings
Works representing birds of the West Coast
SAGE Gallery is pleased to announce a Call to Artists for
our August juried show.
The prospectus will be uploaded to our website
www.sagegallerybandon.com by the end of this
week. We invite artists from Oregon, California and
Washington working in all media, except video,
to submit . The
prospectus can also be mailed to those
who send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to SAGE Gallery,
PO Box 489, Bandon, OR 97411.
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workshops:
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Coos Art Museum
Solar Plate Etching
Instructors Pat Snyder & Mike Holm
$60 for CAM members, $80 for non-members
541-267-3901
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Sumi-E Workshop, registration open now
Artist Loft Gallery presents Darlene Diehl, instrctor for this Japanese Ink Painting class
Saturday, June 19, 2010 $67 for BAAA members, $72 for non-members. Call Carol Young 541-260-4573. To see Darlene Diehl's work go to http://gigharboropenstudiotour.org
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Friday, April 29, 2010 6- 8:00 p.m.
C'est Vert on the Pedway, Old Town Bandon
(Next door to Bandon Artist Supply)
Vicki Affatati Art/Bring Jack Back Mural Restoration benefit
Free food and music
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Friday, April 30, 2010 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
1624 W. Harvard Avenue, Roseburg, OR 97471
Opening reception for "12 Cubed--A Small Works Exhibit"
http://www.uvarts.com 541-672-2532
**Congratulations to one of our Monday Plein Air painters, Mike Ousley, who has 2 paintings accepted into this show!
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Saturday, May 8, 2010 11 a.m.
Eden Hall on the SOCC Campus
Bay Area Artists Association monthly meeting.
Trish Neal will be presenting information on setting up your art business and things to consider. Public welcome.
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G.A.L.A Art Walk, 2nd Saturday each month
May 8, 2010 3-5 p.m.
Florence Events Center, 715 Quince Street, Florence
free bus ride to the galleries at 3 p.m.
http://www.florenceartists.com
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Saturday, May 8, 2010 4 - 7 p.m.
Brookings Second Saturday Art Walk
Downtown Brookings.
If you miss this month's Art Walk, you may read the report, with photos, at www.wildriverscoastart.com
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Sunday, May 9, 2010 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Shore Acres, near Charleston, OR on Cape Arago Hwy.
Annual Mother's Day Plein Air Paintout in the Shore Acres Gardens.
It's a popular destination on Mother's Day.
Free parking for Artists in the parking lot behind the Maintenance Buildings...use Maintenance Entrance. No selling in the park itself.
Questions, please call Charles of Charleston 541-888-6971
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from Angela at Art 101
The Washed Ashore filming schedule changed the dates so everyone has more time to make great art!
Take a look at our ever evolving website and come an join us each Tuesday evening 6 - 9 pm for free workshop, good music and snacks.
http://www.WashedAshoreArt.org
This project needs volunteers to do a variety of tasks to help get these sculptures done and 'on the road'. If you can help, please contact Angela, or just show up at Art 101 on Tuesday evenings 6-9 p.m., 7 miles south of Bandon, purple building, purple yurt. 541-347- 9123, or 541- 347- 2859 for more information.
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July 21-23: Wild Botanicals:
Watercolor, Drawing & Design Techniques
July 24: Wild Yoga/Wild Art
Andie Thrams, instructor
Sitka Center for Art and Ecology
Cascade Head, Oregon
www.sitkacenter.com
Summer flora in this stunning wild coastal forest is our
inspiration for delving into diverse techniques and creative
experiments. Held at Andie's favorite art center in all the world!
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
presents
the 4th Annual
HUNDRED VALLEYS
Northwest Juried Art Show and Competition
Prospectus
August 27 – October 29, 2010
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
1624 W Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471
Juror: Kerri Rosenstein
M.F.A., Drawing and Painting, University of Montana
B.A., Psychology, Gettysburg College
Cash Awards:
J. Lynn Peterson Award-1st place $500
2nd Place $300
3rd Place $200
(Cash Awards Generously Sponsored by Phil and Debbie Bates - Art Beats)
Submission Deadline: June 4, 2010
NO THEME!
TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PROSPECTUS CLICK HERE
To view more about Kerri Rosenstein's career and work go here www.kerrirosenstein.blogspot.com
the 4th Annual
HUNDRED VALLEYS
Northwest Juried Art Show and Competition
Prospectus
August 27 – October 29, 2010
Umpqua Valley Arts Association
1624 W Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471
Juror: Kerri Rosenstein
M.F.A., Drawing and Painting, University of Montana
B.A., Psychology, Gettysburg College
Cash Awards:
J. Lynn Peterson Award-1st place $500
2nd Place $300
3rd Place $200
(Cash Awards Generously Sponsored by Phil and Debbie Bates - Art Beats)
Submission Deadline: June 4, 2010
NO THEME!
TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD PROSPECTUS CLICK HERE
To view more about Kerri Rosenstein's career and work go here www.kerrirosenstein.blogspot.com
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Last Call
If you have been dragging your feet, wringing your hands or staring off into space, you're almost out of time to enter this year's Maritime show. The Show, the seventeenth of its line begins at the Coos Art Museum July 17, 2010. And just in case you haven't gotten your entry ready, the notice and the application form are posted just below this very post. Isn't that special?
Entry Form
Submission deadline: postmarked by Saturday, May 15, 2010
July 17 –September 18, 2010
Fill out the following and return with submissions. Include a check or money order made out to Coos Art Museum in the amount of $35.00 for up to 3 submissions. Send submissions, completed form and entry fee to: Coos Art Museum, 235 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420. ATTN: Maritime
Artist’s Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Email:
Telephone #:
ENTRY #: ____(Leave blank! Coos Art Museum to assign the Entry #)
Title of Work:______Medium: Size (including frame):
Accepted___________Rejected_______________
ENTRY #:____(Leave blank! Coos Art Museum to assign the Entry #)
Title of Work:________Medium Size (including frame):
Accepted___________Rejected_______________
ENTRY #:____(Leave blank! Coos Art Museum to assign the Entry #)
Title of Work:______Medium: Size (including frame):
Accepted___________Rejected_______________
17th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition
July 17 - Saturday, September 18, 2010
Submission deadline: postmarked by Saturday, May 15, 2010
Background:
Coos Art Museum continues its tradition of hosting an annual Maritime Art Exhibition on the scenic southern Oregon Coast. Coinciding with the opening of this annual maritime art exhibit is the Plein-Air/Paint out event for maritime painters. A day of painting outdoors on the Coos Bay; the city docks, shipyards, boat basins, sandy beaches, rocky coves, rugged shorelines, dramatic cliffs, lush rain forests and cultured gardens that are all within 10 miles of the Coos Art Museum. The 17th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition is officially recognized and co-sponsored by the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).
Featured Artist: Jon Olson is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) and a regular participant in the Annual Maritime Art Exhibitions at the Coos Art Museum. A resident of Seal Beach California, Jon focuses on maritime-historical subjects of the West Coast and the Great lakes where he was raised. A former Professor of Anthropology and the grandson of a ship builder Jon is able to infuse his works with true historical accuracy yet he is also able to produce plein air works in a free impressionistic manner. Additionally, Jon is recognized as an accomplished maritime miniaturist. He has been accepted numerous times into the Mystic Seaport International Maritime Exhibit and received a first place in oils and acrylics in the 2005 International show of the Washington, D.C. Society of Miniature Artists, Sculptors and Gravers.
Juror: Austin Dwyer is a Signature Member of ASMA and a life member and past president of Puget Sound Group of North West Painters. A resident of Mukilteo, Austin was born in County Tipperary, Ireland and is noted both for his musical ability and artistic talent. He studied and later taught at the highly respected Burnley School of Professional Art. Following a successful career in advertising and illustration he turned his hand to fine art. Austin’s painting The Whalers won best of show at last year’s Annual Maritime Art Exhibition.
Juror: Kim Shaklee, a native of Denver, Colorado is a skilled wildlife and marine sculptor noted for her ability to transform static metal into fluid motion and to capture the essence of a live animal. Her works are found in collections around the world, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the Oklahoma City Zoological Gardens in Oklahoma City and Benson Park Sculpture Garden in Loveland, Colorado. She is a member of Allied Artist of America and American Academy of Women Artists and a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League and ASMA
Juror: June Carey is known for her serene images of California’s wine country, coastlines and historic missions. In 1996, following a trip down the back roads of California she painted her first vineyard scene. June is a Signature Member of the California Art Club and a Fellow in ASMA. In 2003 June was invited to participate in the highly prestigious Masters of the American West Invitational show at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California. A resident of California she also maintains a house in the Tuscan countryside.
Eligibility:
• Open to all members of American Society of Marine Artists, International Society of Marine Painters and artists who create marine related two-dimensional original paintings in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolors or sculptures.
• If you are submitting a work that is part of a series, the submitted piece MUST be unique and distinguishable from any of your other works of art.
• Works that have previously been exhibited at Coos Art Museum are NOT eligible.
• Submissions are to be 'recent works', ones that have been created within the past five (5) years (created in 2004 or newer).
• Prints (photo serigraphs, digital or giclée) and photography are not eligible.
• Works that are accepted must be the same as the digital images or slides entered.
• Paintings framed size limitation of five (5) feet in any one direction and a weight limitation of 20 lbs.
• Sculpture weight limitation of 25 lbs.
Submissions
Artist may submit a total of up to three (3) entries with a single, non-refundable entry fee of $35. Submissions can be either slides or digital files.
Slides must be 2" by 2" mounted, each marked with the artist's name and title of the work.
• Please denote the top of the work on the slide and submit in a plastic jacket.
• No glass-mounted slides will be accepted.
• Digital files must be in jpg format minimum of 300 dpi at approximately 8” x 10” all on one CD-ROM. All CDs must be labeled, on the outside, with the artist's name, title of the work, medium, date completed, and size of the painting(s). Name the electronic files as follows;
A_title of work.jpg
B_title of work.jpg
Abbreviate as needed on the electronic file name, but be sure the entry form has complete information.
• NO SLIDE SHOWS, FLASH FILES, THUMBNAILS etc.
• NO SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL WILL BE ALLOWED
If you are submitting a work that is part of a series, the submitted piece MUST be unique and distinguishable from any of your other works of art. Works that have previously been exhibited at Coos Art Museum are not eligible.
DO NOT SUBMIT SLIDE SHOWS, FLASH FILES, THUMBNAILS etc.
• NO SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL ALLOWED!
Submission Deadline
Submissions deadline is a postmark of May 15, 2010, received no later than May 21, 2010. Include a check or money order for $35 for up to 3 entries, made out to the Coos Art Museum (non-refundable entry fee) with the submissions and completed entry form. Send to: Coos Art Museum, 235 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420. ATTN: Maritime. Include with your entry a resume and a self-addressed, 6x9 stamped envelope (SASE) for submission returns, acceptance letter and shipping info / rejection letter information.
Notice of acceptance/rejection will be sent via US MAIL by May 28, 2010.
General Specifications for Accepted Works of Art
Detailed information regarding artwork specifications will be sent with acceptance notifications. However, all accepted painted works must be framed and ready for hanging prior to arrival, and be no more than five (5) feet in any one direction, including the frame, nor weigh more than 20 lbs. All accepted sculptures, must be no more than five (5) feet in any one direction nor weigh more than 25 lbs. All accepted works will be insured by the Museum from time of arrival until departure.
SALES
Works in the exhibition may be available for sale. Artist agrees to donate 30% of any sale to Coos Art Museum. Artist is to be paid three weeks from end of show. Please price your works with this in mind. Your entry confirms all terms of this agreement.
Shipping of Accepted Works of Art
Detailed information regarding shipping will be sent with acceptance notifications. However, each accepted artist is responsible for the cost of transporting artwork to and from the Coos Art Museum. A $20 handling fee will be charged by the Museum for artwork that is shipped to the Museum without prepaid arrangements or prepaid shipping label in addition to shipping charges. The handling fee covers the time and effort to uncrate, inventory, tag, re-crate works of art and to work with couriers and shipping companies.
Judging and Awards:
Panel of 3 maritime artists will jury the submissions. 4 awards will be given out at the opening reception followed by the Plein Air Paint out event and dinner on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
• Best of Show - selected by Buck Braden, ASMA member and Featured Artist.
• Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Award - selected by Port Official.
• Coos Art Museum Board of Directors Choice - selected by the CAM Board of Directors.
• People's Choice Award - selected by a vote of museum attendees.
Important Dates:
• May 15, 2010 - Deadline for submissions sent to Coos Art Museum.
• May 28, 2010 - Notification of acceptance/rejection and return of non-selected submissions.
• June 19, 2010 - Deadline for registration for Plein-Air Paint Out and Dinner.
• July 10, 2010 - Deadline for receiving accepted artwork.
• July 17, 2010 - Plein Air Paint Out, art auction, dinner and awards.
• September 19, 2010 - Hand retrieval of artwork from 10 - 2 pm.
• September 21 - 24, 2010 - Artwork returned via couriers.
Submission deadline: postmarked by Saturday, May 15, 2010
Background:
Coos Art Museum continues its tradition of hosting an annual Maritime Art Exhibition on the scenic southern Oregon Coast. Coinciding with the opening of this annual maritime art exhibit is the Plein-Air/Paint out event for maritime painters. A day of painting outdoors on the Coos Bay; the city docks, shipyards, boat basins, sandy beaches, rocky coves, rugged shorelines, dramatic cliffs, lush rain forests and cultured gardens that are all within 10 miles of the Coos Art Museum. The 17th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition is officially recognized and co-sponsored by the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).
Featured Artist: Jon Olson is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) and a regular participant in the Annual Maritime Art Exhibitions at the Coos Art Museum. A resident of Seal Beach California, Jon focuses on maritime-historical subjects of the West Coast and the Great lakes where he was raised. A former Professor of Anthropology and the grandson of a ship builder Jon is able to infuse his works with true historical accuracy yet he is also able to produce plein air works in a free impressionistic manner. Additionally, Jon is recognized as an accomplished maritime miniaturist. He has been accepted numerous times into the Mystic Seaport International Maritime Exhibit and received a first place in oils and acrylics in the 2005 International show of the Washington, D.C. Society of Miniature Artists, Sculptors and Gravers.
Juror: Austin Dwyer is a Signature Member of ASMA and a life member and past president of Puget Sound Group of North West Painters. A resident of Mukilteo, Austin was born in County Tipperary, Ireland and is noted both for his musical ability and artistic talent. He studied and later taught at the highly respected Burnley School of Professional Art. Following a successful career in advertising and illustration he turned his hand to fine art. Austin’s painting The Whalers won best of show at last year’s Annual Maritime Art Exhibition.
Juror: Kim Shaklee, a native of Denver, Colorado is a skilled wildlife and marine sculptor noted for her ability to transform static metal into fluid motion and to capture the essence of a live animal. Her works are found in collections around the world, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the Oklahoma City Zoological Gardens in Oklahoma City and Benson Park Sculpture Garden in Loveland, Colorado. She is a member of Allied Artist of America and American Academy of Women Artists and a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League and ASMA
Juror: June Carey is known for her serene images of California’s wine country, coastlines and historic missions. In 1996, following a trip down the back roads of California she painted her first vineyard scene. June is a Signature Member of the California Art Club and a Fellow in ASMA. In 2003 June was invited to participate in the highly prestigious Masters of the American West Invitational show at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California. A resident of California she also maintains a house in the Tuscan countryside.
Eligibility:
• Open to all members of American Society of Marine Artists, International Society of Marine Painters and artists who create marine related two-dimensional original paintings in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolors or sculptures.
• If you are submitting a work that is part of a series, the submitted piece MUST be unique and distinguishable from any of your other works of art.
• Works that have previously been exhibited at Coos Art Museum are NOT eligible.
• Submissions are to be 'recent works', ones that have been created within the past five (5) years (created in 2004 or newer).
• Prints (photo serigraphs, digital or giclée) and photography are not eligible.
• Works that are accepted must be the same as the digital images or slides entered.
• Paintings framed size limitation of five (5) feet in any one direction and a weight limitation of 20 lbs.
• Sculpture weight limitation of 25 lbs.
Submissions
Artist may submit a total of up to three (3) entries with a single, non-refundable entry fee of $35. Submissions can be either slides or digital files.
Slides must be 2" by 2" mounted, each marked with the artist's name and title of the work.
• Please denote the top of the work on the slide and submit in a plastic jacket.
• No glass-mounted slides will be accepted.
• Digital files must be in jpg format minimum of 300 dpi at approximately 8” x 10” all on one CD-ROM. All CDs must be labeled, on the outside, with the artist's name, title of the work, medium, date completed, and size of the painting(s). Name the electronic files as follows;
A_title of work.jpg
B_title of work.jpg
Abbreviate as needed on the electronic file name, but be sure the entry form has complete information.
• NO SLIDE SHOWS, FLASH FILES, THUMBNAILS etc.
• NO SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL WILL BE ALLOWED
If you are submitting a work that is part of a series, the submitted piece MUST be unique and distinguishable from any of your other works of art. Works that have previously been exhibited at Coos Art Museum are not eligible.
DO NOT SUBMIT SLIDE SHOWS, FLASH FILES, THUMBNAILS etc.
• NO SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL ALLOWED!
Submission Deadline
Submissions deadline is a postmark of May 15, 2010, received no later than May 21, 2010. Include a check or money order for $35 for up to 3 entries, made out to the Coos Art Museum (non-refundable entry fee) with the submissions and completed entry form. Send to: Coos Art Museum, 235 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420. ATTN: Maritime. Include with your entry a resume and a self-addressed, 6x9 stamped envelope (SASE) for submission returns, acceptance letter and shipping info / rejection letter information.
Notice of acceptance/rejection will be sent via US MAIL by May 28, 2010.
General Specifications for Accepted Works of Art
Detailed information regarding artwork specifications will be sent with acceptance notifications. However, all accepted painted works must be framed and ready for hanging prior to arrival, and be no more than five (5) feet in any one direction, including the frame, nor weigh more than 20 lbs. All accepted sculptures, must be no more than five (5) feet in any one direction nor weigh more than 25 lbs. All accepted works will be insured by the Museum from time of arrival until departure.
SALES
Works in the exhibition may be available for sale. Artist agrees to donate 30% of any sale to Coos Art Museum. Artist is to be paid three weeks from end of show. Please price your works with this in mind. Your entry confirms all terms of this agreement.
Shipping of Accepted Works of Art
Detailed information regarding shipping will be sent with acceptance notifications. However, each accepted artist is responsible for the cost of transporting artwork to and from the Coos Art Museum. A $20 handling fee will be charged by the Museum for artwork that is shipped to the Museum without prepaid arrangements or prepaid shipping label in addition to shipping charges. The handling fee covers the time and effort to uncrate, inventory, tag, re-crate works of art and to work with couriers and shipping companies.
Judging and Awards:
Panel of 3 maritime artists will jury the submissions. 4 awards will be given out at the opening reception followed by the Plein Air Paint out event and dinner on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
• Best of Show - selected by Buck Braden, ASMA member and Featured Artist.
• Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Award - selected by Port Official.
• Coos Art Museum Board of Directors Choice - selected by the CAM Board of Directors.
• People's Choice Award - selected by a vote of museum attendees.
Important Dates:
• May 15, 2010 - Deadline for submissions sent to Coos Art Museum.
• May 28, 2010 - Notification of acceptance/rejection and return of non-selected submissions.
• June 19, 2010 - Deadline for registration for Plein-Air Paint Out and Dinner.
• July 10, 2010 - Deadline for receiving accepted artwork.
• July 17, 2010 - Plein Air Paint Out, art auction, dinner and awards.
• September 19, 2010 - Hand retrieval of artwork from 10 - 2 pm.
• September 21 - 24, 2010 - Artwork returned via couriers.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Grayscale
Working to improve your skills is a daily chore for an artist. You can sketch, experiment with color, go wildly abstract, take classes or make prints and all of these things work, because there’s just no such thing as bad practice.
My favorite writing coach says, “Writers write.” It works for painters, printers, potters, carvers and all of the like, by doing you improve your ability to see and then translate that sight into something on the canvas, or the wheel or the page.
But often we find one technique which works and we stay with it never trying anything new. This will make you a master at that technique but it won’t help you develop new skills. Hey, doing what you’ve always done is comfortable and safe and there’s nothing wrong with safe and comfortable.
But art is about getting outside your comfort zone.
So why not try some grayscale practice? What? Grayscale, it’s what newspapers do to make photographs ready for the press and it is something every artists should try, if only to discover that it isn’t for you.
So how do you practice grayscale? You did download Faststone Image Viewer like I told you? If so grayscale is only a few clicks away. Take any picture, one of your own, something you’ve downloaded from the Net or something you’ve scanned in from a book or magazine, run it through Faststone and use the Edit command to find the Grayscale converter. One click and you have that image in grayscale. Now all you have to do is use your best skills to copy it.
Now why would I want to waste time doing something as silly as that when I could be creating a new work? Because working in a monotone, any monotone will teach you things about light and shadow that you would never see in color. And its demanding, you use color to get separation and give depth to your composition, but if suddenly there is no color how do you do the same thing? Maybe you should try it?
The eye is a wonderful and complex thing, it can see close up and across the vast reaches of space and still read those tiny instructions on a bottle of pain reliever, it can do all of that, but it is a lazy thing. It only does so much as the user asks it to do. Making it see in a different way trains the eye to explore space in a new way.
We have been trained by popular magazines to accept the wide angle camera lens as normal, editors love the bold look of a wide angle lens and the fact that everything from the tip of your nose to the horizon is in focus doesn’t hurt either. But what if you see specifically, the drops of dew on a leaf, an insect sunning before it takes flight or a pattern of shade and sunlight across and empty beach? Can you capture that image without being able to see the shadows and empty spaces? Maybe a day of grayscale painting will make all of the available darkness speak to you.
My favorite writing coach says, “Writers write.” It works for painters, printers, potters, carvers and all of the like, by doing you improve your ability to see and then translate that sight into something on the canvas, or the wheel or the page.
But often we find one technique which works and we stay with it never trying anything new. This will make you a master at that technique but it won’t help you develop new skills. Hey, doing what you’ve always done is comfortable and safe and there’s nothing wrong with safe and comfortable.
But art is about getting outside your comfort zone.
So why not try some grayscale practice? What? Grayscale, it’s what newspapers do to make photographs ready for the press and it is something every artists should try, if only to discover that it isn’t for you.
So how do you practice grayscale? You did download Faststone Image Viewer like I told you? If so grayscale is only a few clicks away. Take any picture, one of your own, something you’ve downloaded from the Net or something you’ve scanned in from a book or magazine, run it through Faststone and use the Edit command to find the Grayscale converter. One click and you have that image in grayscale. Now all you have to do is use your best skills to copy it.
Now why would I want to waste time doing something as silly as that when I could be creating a new work? Because working in a monotone, any monotone will teach you things about light and shadow that you would never see in color. And its demanding, you use color to get separation and give depth to your composition, but if suddenly there is no color how do you do the same thing? Maybe you should try it?
The eye is a wonderful and complex thing, it can see close up and across the vast reaches of space and still read those tiny instructions on a bottle of pain reliever, it can do all of that, but it is a lazy thing. It only does so much as the user asks it to do. Making it see in a different way trains the eye to explore space in a new way.
We have been trained by popular magazines to accept the wide angle camera lens as normal, editors love the bold look of a wide angle lens and the fact that everything from the tip of your nose to the horizon is in focus doesn’t hurt either. But what if you see specifically, the drops of dew on a leaf, an insect sunning before it takes flight or a pattern of shade and sunlight across and empty beach? Can you capture that image without being able to see the shadows and empty spaces? Maybe a day of grayscale painting will make all of the available darkness speak to you.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Expressions West
You get that letter, you know the one, the one that says you have been accepted into the show. You scream, you do the happy dance, scare the cat and run into the other room waving the letter and grinning like an idiot and say, "I did it!" And your partner/spouse/significant other looks up from the television and say, "What?" And what do you say then? That's the problem with actually getting in to a show, you feel great, you have a chance to win awards, you can force your live-in to slave like crazy, but what have you actually done and why?
It's the why that drives artists crazy. But not the lucky few who were juried into the Expressions West show at the Coos Art Museum. The juror, Kevin Kadar, took the artists and the general public on a walk through critic of the show.
And his audience listened!
And they paid attention.
Even the museum director took a moment to study the art and listen while Kevin explained the elements which guided his decisions.
People joined the walk through in progress...
There was no pushing or shoving to get close to the guru, just patient calm and deep concentration.
And through it all, Kevin answered every question, no matter if it was the artist asking about their work or the public trying to grasp the complexities of art competition.
The Big Boss listened and followed
Until finally the last gallery brought things to a close.
But of course Kurt Hitch had to have the last word.
It's the why that drives artists crazy. But not the lucky few who were juried into the Expressions West show at the Coos Art Museum. The juror, Kevin Kadar, took the artists and the general public on a walk through critic of the show.
And his audience listened!
And they paid attention.
Even the museum director took a moment to study the art and listen while Kevin explained the elements which guided his decisions.
People joined the walk through in progress...
There was no pushing or shoving to get close to the guru, just patient calm and deep concentration.
And through it all, Kevin answered every question, no matter if it was the artist asking about their work or the public trying to grasp the complexities of art competition.
The Big Boss listened and followed
Until finally the last gallery brought things to a close.
But of course Kurt Hitch had to have the last word.
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