Ava Richey's Art News

Hello Everyone,

This Monday, February 20th, 12 - 3 p.m., we will paint at Sage Place. It's located at the corner of 11th and Elmira in Bandon.

Bring your lunch and beverage, if you like. There will be a still life set up, or bring your own resource to paint from.

My phone is 541-347-4643 or cell is 541-297-6118.

Please note my new e-mail address yarnfarm@frontier.com The harborside address isn't good anymore.

Thanks!

Ava
--------------------------------------------------
Art Information:
----------------------------------------
FYI: New listings have asterisks ***** next to the date.

If any of the web links below in blue are not "live", meaning if you click

on it and it doesn't take you to the website,--- right click on it and

choose copy, then open your internet web browser, left click on the web

address window at the top to highlight it, then right click and paste the

web link into your browser and hit enter. The site should open.
---------------------------------------------
:February sale: Paints 15% off at Bandon Artist (excluding kits).

NEW Winter Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 -5 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. 541-347-4482 or 541-297-6118.
----------------------------------------------
Artists' Accomplishments:

We want to honor the achievements of all you artists, so don't be shy about sending the highlights of your art lives, or those of your artist friends.

Yvonne Ousley has had two Meso-American wool tapestries accepted into the Ancient American Exhibit at LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. The show runs from February 21st to March 26, 2012, with a reception on March 8th at 6:30 p.m.

Congratulations, Yvonne!!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Current Shows:
-----------------------------
Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay Street, Florence http://www.backstreetgallery.org/ http://www.katheryndavis.com/katys_book/qw_publishing.html
----------------------------------
Bandon Public Library February 2012

Hallway Gallery: "Island Dreams and Coastal Themes", watercolors & oils by Shawn Tempesta

Cases: Larry Linder's woodcarver collectables.
---------------------------------
Chetco Community Library, Brookings

February "Coast to Cactus Country", featuring Pete Chasar

Showcase: "A Collection of Valentines" display by Evelyn Allen
----------------------------------------
Coos Art Museum 235 Anderson Ave. Coos Bay 541-267-3901 http://www.coosart.org/

Coming March 2nd: Biennial Student Art Exhibit & Vision 12

February BAAA "Artist of the Month" featured in the BAAA display located in the Coos Art Museum lobby is Beth Wegner.
----------------------------------------
Coos Bay Library 525 West Anderson, Coos Bay

February

Wall Display "The Coquille River"--selected acrylic & ink paintings celebrating the flora & fauna of the Coquille River by SL Donaldson

Lobby: Pottery by Catherine Walworth
----------------------------
Coquille Valley Art Center 10144 Hwy 42, Coquille 541-396-3294 http://www.coquillevalleyartcenter.org/

February 13 - March 2, 2012 "The Miniature Show"

Hours are Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
------------------------------------------------------
Coquille Valley Hospital, 940 E. 5th Street, Coquille, OR

Photography show featuring works by Kathy and Dick Chambers of Myrtle Point; Patricia Davidson, Coos Bay; Kelle Herrick, Bandon; Richard Kirk, Myrtle Point; Kathy Phillips, Myrtle Point; David Sinnot, formerly of Coquille; and Tony Spenader, Coquille. A portion of sales goes to the CVHA Auxiliary. Show runs through February.
----------------------------------------
Crystal Dolphin Gallery

1901 Sherman Ave, North Bend, 541-756-1989
---------------------------------------
Easy Lane Frames & Select Gallery

3440 Broadway, North Bend, 541-756-7638

"What's New?". Features Gallery Artists and their new works.

February 6 - March 30 "Winter Wonder", Reception Friday, Feb. 10th, 2-4 p.m.
----------------------------------------
Emerald Art Center http://www.emeraldartcenter.org

500 Main Street, Springfield 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

February 1st - 24th "Top 21 Paintings from the 46th Fall Transparent Watercolor Society of Oregon Watercolor Show". Also Featured Member Nancy Ericksen Ward, and Work from the Photography at Oregon Committee, and other members' works. Music by West Winds Flute Choir.
--------------------------------------
Evergreen Court

Evergreen Court, Baycrest Village, 451 O'Connell St., North Bend, OR

541-756-7658
---------------------------------------
Fairbanks Gallery located on campus at OSU in Corvallis. Free, open to the public Mon.- Thurs. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fridays 8 - 12 noon. Contact Douglas Russell at 541-737-5009, or drussell@oregonstate.edu http://oregonstate.edu/fairbanksgallery
----------------------------------------------------
Florence Events Center

715 Quince Street, Florence Call for more info at 541-997-1994

Gallery One: "Water Media Artists" display of 16 Watercolor Society of Oregon members.
--------------------------------------------
Hawthorne Gallery, 517 Jefferson St., Port Orford

Features "Friends", a series of hot glass sculptures that skillfully depict characters who have stood out in the artist's life in one way or another. Artist is Danny White.

Opening reception is February 18th, 4-6 p.m.
-----------------------------------------------------
High Tide Cafe, Charleston

Michael William Ousley is showing a display of his Yacht Club works of art . Open 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
--------------------------------------------------
Langlois Public Library 48234 Hwy 101, Langlois, OR 97450

Hours: Mon. 11a.m.-2 p.m., Tues-Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Paintings of Sheila Oberg continue into the new year.
-------------------------------------------
Manley Art Center 433 Oak Street, Brookings, OR 541-469-1807

February

"The Acrylics of Thomas Moody"

Gallery Theme "Abstracts". Panel Displays: Plein Air Painters Christina Olsen, Sandy Bonney, Eileen Jensen, Philip Wadsworth, Nancy Moore-Hope, the Mudslingers.

the Photo Club presents a slide show of members' works.
---------------------------------------------
Maude Kerns Gallery 1910 East 15th Ave, Eugene, OR 541-345-1571 http://www.mkartcenter.org/

******February 24th - March 23rd Opening reception Feb. 24th, 6 - 8 p.m.

Pportraiture: "Three Twists" Frank Moro, Russ Revok, Mike Sirl
------------------------------------------
North Bend Library, Conference Room February

541-756-0400 http://www.northbendlibrary.org/

Features : Manga Art by Tiffany & Brittany Valdez
---------------------------------------
Old City Hall-- 99 E. Second Street, Corner of Second & Adams, Coquille

Contact Nella Abbott at 541-824-0779 for information.
--------------------------------------
Pony Village Mall:
ArtWalk: Various artists showing at tables in lobby areas near Katherine's and Harry Ritchie Jewelers. and Artists Loft.

Also in the Mall:

Artists' Loft, 541-756-4088

Gallery Artists Group Show, features jewelry by Hester Solsang. Guest Artist--watercolors by Cindy Horner

East Wing Art Wall (by JoAnn's)

Photography--local color and other works by Dan Hull

Sterling Savings Bank

Fabulous Oils by Carol Turner
-------------------------------------------------
Port Orford Library January-March

Paintings by Susan Lehman, Jane Schmaltz and Ava Richey
----------------------------------------
Raincoast Gallery

Featuring work of many local artists.

Gallery is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays.
---------------------------------------
Second Street Gallery, Old Town Bandon 541-347-4188 http://secondstreetgallery.net

Features annual "Wall of Opportunity" with 50% off regular sales price of local artists' work including 2-d, jewelry, pottery, glass, greeting cards and books. Inventory changes weekly.
---------------------------------------------------------
South Slough Interpretive Center, Charleston -- in the William Q. Wick Auditorium

January 7 - February 29, 2012

Graphite renderings of birds and wildlife by Lance Cox.
-----------------------------------------
January 11th through March, 2012

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center

"Down on the Farm" features agriculture related art. Don't miss it!
-----------------------------------------
Umpqua Valley Arts Center, 1625 W. Harvard, Roseburg

541-672-2532 http://www.uvarts.com/

Through March 2, 2012 "Student Art Show", 500 works in a variety of media fill all six UVAA gallery spaces.
---------------------------------------
U.S. Bank--Coquille

Works by Joanne Drapkin; Victoria Tierney's paintings of Coos County Parks for the 30 Parks by 30 Artists Show; selected works from "TIME" - A Statewide Traveling Show of Oregon Prison Art.
------------------------------------------
Whistling Gallery

87456 Ste. A, Whistling Drive, Bandon (located in Laurel Grove, 5 miles

south of Bandon.) A variety of artists showing 2-d and 3-d work.

Also in charge of showing work at Billy Smoothboar's and other venues for

those artists interested in showing their work, contact Vickie.

541-404-7336, or whistlinggallery@gmail.com
---------------------------------------------------
Classes
---------------------------------------------------
Art 101, The Purple Yurt, 5 miles south of Bandon on Hwy 101, 541-250-1140 or info@washedashore.org

Saturdays and Sundays 1 - 5:00 p.m.

Volunteer Workshops to build "Leo the Leopard Shark" Have a hand in constructing the newest member of the Washed Ashore family. This work is designed to permanently reside at the Chula Vista Nataure Center in San Diego, CA. The sculpture consists of 100% ocean going debris (plastics and more). Help inspire others to do something about this problem by building this eye-catching sculpture.
-----------------------------------------------------
******Art by the Sea, Gallery and Studio 175 2nd St, Old Town Bandon, (next to Bandon Artist Supply)

******Monday, April 2, 2012 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Silkscreen Monoprint Class Instructor is Pat Snyder, class fee $45. to register call 541-297-6118.
-----------------------------------------------------
Artist Loft Gallery, Pony Village Mall, North Bend. Call for Class

Information at 541-756-4088

If you are interested in taking a Chinese Brush Painting class with Darlene Diehl on April 12, 2012, $67 for 5 hours with all supplies provided, please contact Carol Young at 541-260-4573. Class will be held in the Artist Loft classroom.

Beginning Watercolor with Carol Young, for info call 541-260-4573.
----------------------------------------------------
Bay Be, located in Charleston, next door to High Tide Cafe is now open and offers licensed childcare for kids 3 yrs & up with a focus on nature and art projects. ALSO offer workshops for adults--making lip balm, jewelry, knitting and yoga.

Drop-in Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. with only $5 and 5 minutes we can help you create a craft such as paper, a candle, a willow basket, driftwood sculpture or bird feeder. 541-888-3265, Find us on Facebook.
--------------------------------------------------------
Brookings Area and more:

various classes are listed at http://wildriverscoastart.com
--------------------------------------------------
Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay 541-267-4877 for more information.

Tuesday - Thursday, April 3, 4, 5th, 2012 Watercolor from Start to Finish with Judy Morris 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturdays, May 12th & 19th: Paper Arts with Holly Rodenkirk and Mary Cervantes 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
-------------------------------------------------
Coquille Valley Art Association 10144 Hwy 42, Coquille, OR 541-396-3294

http://www.coquillevalleyartcenter.org

Painting with Pat Weaver 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Painting with Anna Crosby 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays

Painting/Drawing 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mondays

Painting with Bunny Upton 12 - 3 p.m. Mondays

Woodcarving with Larry Roberts 9-12 Mondays 541-396-2579

Woodcarving 6 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays

Wood Burning 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesdays

Play with Clay 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursdays

Ken Means Carving 9 - 12 noon and 6 - 9 p.m. on Wednesdays Quilting 10 a.m. on Wednesdays

Appliqué 10 a.m. Tuesdays

Stained Glass 2:30 - 5:00 and another at 6 - 9 p.m. Mondays and Fridays 9:30 - 12:30

Fiber Arts 10 a.m. on Fridays

Yoga 6 p.m. Mondays No Classes during January or February.
-------------------------------------------------
Easy Lane Frames, 3440 Broadway, North Bend, 541-756-7638

Contact for information on a variety of classes.

Fridays, Watercolor Studio with Jane Snoddy, $10 per session.

Palette Knife Technique with Acrylics with Carolyn Le Grande, 4 week class in February.
----------------------------------------------------
Freshwater Gallery, 236B Hwy 101, Port Orford (next to Paula's Bistro)

Sundays, 3-5 p.m.: Figure Drawing with Model, $25

Mondays, 5-7 p.m.: Seascape Painting, $20 per class. For information: 541-332-8019 or 541-236-8077, or wilddoodle@earthlink.net
---------------------------------------------------
Gallery on the Bay

658 S. Empire Blvd, Empire 541-888-3771

Lessons in painting pastel by Darrell Sanders.
------------------------------------------------
Gold Beach SWOCC Center (on the fairgrounds) 541-247-2741
----------------------------------------------
Heritage Textile Arts Guild

157#A, Pony Village Mall, North Bend

Lessons available in wearables, kitchen linens and gift items.
-----------------------------------------------
Manley Art Center, Brookings

Call for class and workshop schedules. 541-469-1807
--------------------------------------------------
Rose Palette, Pony Village Mall, North Bend. 541-290-7858

Oil Painting classes by Carol Turner, 2:30 - 5:30 Mondays, $20 per class. You can reach Carol at 541-396-5373 for information on other classes as well.
--------------------------------------------------
Rosie's Art Carnival, 575 B Hwy 101, Florence artcarnival@oregonfast.net www.facebook.com/rosiesartcarnival

New Classes: e-mail for more information.

Fridays: Two Card Classes, one at 10:00 a.m. and the other at 12:30. Sign up ahead of time so a materials packet will be available for you.

Saturday, March 9th: Stampscapes Class with Cathy.
-----------------------------------------------------
Sage Place, 11th & Elmira, Bandon

For a schedule of classes offered go to: http://www.sagegallerybandon.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Umpqua Valley Arts Center, Roseburg

1624 W. Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471 541-672-2532 http://www.uvarts.com
---------------------------------------------------
Wright's Custom Framing 910 Chetco Ave, Brookings 541-469-7625 saradee1@frontier.com

Drop in Art Workshop every Friday Afternoon 1 - 4 p.m.

Individual instruction in any medium; demonstrations in various mediums; critiques of completed work and works in progress. $12 per session. Just drop in and bring something you would like to work on, or need help with. Each week something new is presented during demonstrations.
--------------------------------------------
Dateline Events:
-------------------------------------------------------
*****Wednesday, February 22, 2012 11 - 5 p.m.

Art by the Sea Studio and; Gallery, an Artists' Cooperative, opens in The Continuum Building in Old Town Bandon. Paintings, prints, cards and other things will be available for sale. Classes are being scheduled, so if you would like to teach or attend, please sign up. Looking forward to seeing you there.
--------------------------------------------------------
******Sunday, March 4, 2012 1 - 3 p.m.

Evergreen Court on the Campus of Baycrest Village, 4510 O'Connell Street, North Bend

Opening reception for the Plein Air Painters Exhibition featuring painters from Oregon's Bay Area and Bandon. Please join us for art, food and friends.
----------------------------
Thursdays. No meetings until March

Gold Beach Episcopal Church Easternmost end of Moore Street.

Figure Drawing. To confirm & for more information contact Alexandra

alexandra@portraitsbyalexandra.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Calls to Artists:
------------------------------------------------
Postmark Deadline March 5, 2012

Sequim Arts is seeking entries for its 36th Annual Juried Art Exhibit to be held at the Museum and Arts Center, Sequim, WA. Exhibition dates May 1 - 27th.

Cash and merchandise prizes totaling over $1500. Open to all adult artists. All work must be original in interpretation and composition, not copied from copyright or published art or executed in a supervised class, and must be for sale. Entries are $20 for the first entry, additional $5 each up to five entries.

http://www.sequimarts.org 360-681-4884
------------------------------------------------
Deadline May 16, 2012 at 5 p.m.

Career Opportunity Grants, available from Oregon Arts Commission, help support individual Oregon artists by enabling them to take advantage of unique opportunities to enhance their careers through the development of arts, business or professional skills; expanded marketing capacity and/or the further development of the nature or quality of their artwork.

Grant amounts may range from $300 - $1500. A new collaboration with The Ford Family Foundation is now included with the application. To apply, visit http://www.oregonartscommission.ort/content/grants/ For more information call Shannon Planchon at 503-229-6062.
---------------------------------------------------
Deadline March 19, 2012

Artists are invited to apply to display their works at the third annual Sunriver Art Faire. Limited to 60 exhibitors, the juried show will be held August 10 - 12th. Submit applications at http://www.zapplication.org. For more information visit http://www.sunriverartfaire.com

Deadline February 15, 2012 Postmark and/or delivery deadline for application and fee.

"Public Hanging 2012" at Florence Events Center, Florence, OR Show runs February 27 - April 30th. $20 for 3 pieces. For application and guidelines:

http://www.eventcenter.org/images/stories/gallery-photos/pub-hanging-guidelines.pdf
-------------------------------------------------
Deadline February 29, 2012 5 p.m.

2012 Art Contest to Benefit New ODFW (Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife) Habitat Conservation Stamp

Artwork must feature one of the fish or wildlife species identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy in its respective strategy habitat. Announcement:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/docs/2012_Oregon_Department_of_Fish_and_Wildlife_Art_Contest.pdf

List of Species: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/docs/document_pdf/b-species.pdf
-------------------------------------------------
Deadline April 16, 2012 for postmark and/or hand delivery of application and fee.

"Exposure 2012" Photography Only show. Florence Events Center

Show runs April 30th - June 28th, 2012 $20 per rod, rod hold 3 photographs. For guidelines and application:

http://www.eventcenter.org/images/stories/gallery-photos/exposure-guidelines.pdf
----------------------------------------------------
Deadline for entry is February 10, 2012

Maude Kerns Art Center "Variations: Art Expressing Music" Submit images of 2D & 3D artwork in all mediums that is inspired by music or related to the theme of music. Supply
five digital images in color at 300 dpi on CD in jpeg format. Work will be
selected by jurors from the submitted images. There is a $15 submission fee.

Application forms & prospectus available at http://www.mkartcenter.org

or call 541-345-1571. Show runs April 6 - May 11, 2012

Maude Kerns Art Center is located at 1910 E. 15th Ave. (corner of 15th &

Villard), Eugene. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M-F,

Saturday--noon -4 p.m.
----------------------------------------------------
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2012

"Artworks NW 2012" (formerly "Hundred Valleys")

Umpqua Valley Arts Association, 1624 W. Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471

http://www.uvarts.com
------------------------------------------------
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2012

"Photoworks NW 2012" (formerly titled "Best Photo")

Umpqua Valley Arts Association, 1624 W. Harvard, Roseburg, OR 97471

http://www.uvarts.com
------------------------------------------------------
Deadline February 29, 2012

Applications for members of the local arts to apply for grants from the Coos County Cultural Coalition are due by Feb. 29th. They have $11,000 in available funds. For more information http://www.cculturalcoalition.org

----------------------------------------------------
Submission Deadline: Friday, April 20, 2012

Maude Kerns Art Center’s

Call for Artists: 2013-2014 Exhibits Schedule

Artists working in all 2- and 3-dimensional mediums, including

installations, are invited to submit images of their work along with an

application form to be considered for the next biennium (2013-2014) of

exhibits at the Maude Kerns Art Center. Submissions may include solo, group,

and/or themed shows. There is a $15 submission fee for individual artists

and a $5 fee per artist for group shows.

The postmark deadline is Friday, April 20, 2012. Application forms and

prospectuses are available at the Art Center or online at

http://www.mkartcenter.org

Call 541-345-1571 for more information.

The Maude Kerns Art Center, located at 1910 E. 15th Avenue at the corner of

15th and Villard, is Eugene’s oldest non-profit community center for the

visual arts. Gallery hours are from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday – Friday,

and noon to 4:00 pm on Saturday when exhibits are on display.
------------------------------------------------------------
Umpqua Valley Arts Association , Roseburg

44th Annual Summer Arts Festival, scheduled for Friday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 24th, 2012.

Look on their website: http://www.uvarts.com starting in January for applications for booths for artists, crafters, food vendors and entertainers.

This is an established, major cultural event in the Umpqua Valley drawing artists and crafters from across the U.S. for the 3 day festival with live music, food from local vendors, and lots of art. The event draws over 16,000 visitors of all ages. Proceeds benefit the UVAA's arts-in-education programs, bringing art instruction to elementary school children in Douglas County.

Those with questions are encouraged to consult the FAQ document posted on http://uvarts.com/summer-arts-festival/ or contact the UVAA by phone at 541-672-2532.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Artists' Village, McMinnville, OR Saturday & Sunday, July 14th & 15th, 2012

The McMinnville Sunrise Rotary Club is hosting their 4th Annual Artists' Village. Funds raised from this event go to help develop the arts and help Oregon artists with this event.

This is a juried event to obtain a booth at this show in order to sell your work. 10 ' x 10' booth under a tent, $100 for both days. Jurying fee will be non-refundable $25. Best in Show cash prizes total $1000.

They are looking for a variety of fine art participants including painting, sculpture, pottery, metalwork, dance, music and readings.

Information and applications will be posted in January on their website: http://www.artinmac.org Their email contact is artinmac@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------
The Spring Show: (April, May, June): “WEATHER REPORT”

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, Bandon

Works inspired by the South Coast Weather. We’re a land of wild winds, torrential rains, glorious sunsets, rainbows, waving grasses, threatening clouds and churning (or shining) seas----all fair game for our local artists and photographers. No snapshots please. If you have a really fine photo it must be matted and framed and ready for hanging.

Any questions…..check with Ava Richey at Bandon Art Supply or call Victoria Tierney or Susan Lehman at 541-347-9888.
------------------------------------------------------
The Summer Show: (July, August, September): “GAMES PEOPLE PLAY”

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, Bandon

It was Crystal Landucci’s impressive collection of games of Chinese checkers that inspired this one. We’re looking for board games of all sorts that can be mounted on the walls; your own inventions would be great too……you’ve got a little while to work on this one so start inlaying those chess boards or drilling those cribbage sets….(fashioning those dominos?)…….This should be a really fun exhibit for the summer and we hope it will combine collectibles and the fruits of your imagination.
--------------------------------------------------------
The Fall Show: (October, November, December) “WHAT I DID ON MY VACATION”

Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center, Bandon

Paintings and Journals created by the travelers amongst us. We already have some folks in mind but if you have some work you think might fit in….please let us know.
----------------------------------------------------------
Summer Boardwalk Show at Bandon waterfront: It’s The Year of the Dragon , so start planning now!
----------------------------------------------------------
Bandon Library Art Committee is seeking artists for exhibitions in both the

Hallway Gallery and the Glass Cases during the 2013. You can

also put your name on the list in case there are cancellations before then.

The art can be paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, and the like;

crafts, collections, small sculptures and/or jewelry for the cases. Please

contact Alexis Proctor at alexis2101p@yahoo.com or call 541-329-0530.
--------------------------------------------------
Opportunity to Sell your Work:

Kathy from "Katherine's" in Pony Village Mall (south wing) is seeking

artists to display art on Art Walk Thursdays from 5 - 8:00 p.m. each month.

The upcoming one is March 8th. The Mall will provide easels and tables.

Other stores will be doing music and appetizers. There is no fee, no

commission...it's FREE. Contact Kathy at 541-808-2248.

Fair or Foul

I don't for a second claim this is as creative or clever as what Jackson Pollock was doing with his spatter canvases, but it does look a bit like a Pollock. Now the real question is, is it fair?

Can a photographer take a marginal photo and run it through the editing software and create a fine art print of value?

The value of any piece of art isn't in the artist's eye, all of an artist's work is valuable, right? No, unfortunately the public, that amorphous mass decides what is valuable and what isn't. So is doing something like this which takes a coupla minutes in the computer fair when it will be compared to a work which a painter labored over for weeks and weeks?

Certainly it is not if the photographer does not clearly state this is a photograph. I might be a bit prejudiced  but I consider photography in all of its forms as fine as any painting is in fine art terms, but it is still photography. It takes less time and maybe less creativity to produce.

Or does it? the painter composes on canvas, the mind is the archive of images from which the painting is composed and the light comes not from the heavens but from the clever fingers of the painter.  Need a winter scene? No problem, just call up the right memory and there you have it, a scene worthy of Currier and Ives.

The photographer is limited by what the camera sees. The composition is done in the camera and what you see is for the most part what you get. Sure, with the advent of powerful photo editing software that isn't as true as it was back when I started and I'm glad. the guys working with cameras now don't have to feel their way along the walls and use a seeing-eye dog to get close enough to capture a good shot. Time was when a zoom lens cost more than a mid-sized house, oh that was yesterday wasn't it, and for a fine camera lenses could cost as much as the first Apollo program.

The skills needed to be a good photographer, I wouldn't know about great cause I never made it that far, come with repeated failures and repeated attempts. Did I mention seasons, sunsets and wildlife have to be caught where they are and not in the warm, dry studio? Sure some of that can be done with a good editor, the high priced spread can make L.A look like the dark-side of the moon, but it can't make it look like a salt marsh or put low-flying pelicans on the horizon. someone has to go out to that salt marsh and shoot the pelicans. they just don't show up at the Oscars.

And it is true that you have to know what to shoot. Just any old thing will not make for a Jackson Pollock clone or even a bad Picasso. You have to be able to see and know that when you work with it it can be made into something better than it was.

So back to where we started, is it fair? That is a question which only time can answer.

Just why are artists nuts?

Are artists nuts?

The rest of the country seems to agree, yes. But they aren’t artists are they?

There are so many myths about what an artist’s life is like that sorting the truth from fiction is hard to do. For one thing, fiction is so much better, beautiful, nekkid woman lounging on furs while the Avant-garde artist mixes his pallet and using his thumb as a substitute gun site creates scandalous, seductive, graphic porn!

Yeah, right. This assumes that all artists are lecherous men and ignores the fact that well over half of all working artists in this country are women. And women just don’t letch, okay, yes they sometimes do, but usually it involves Brad Pitt and not some nekkid woman, unless you are willing to believe the other big myth, artist’s are all sexually promiscuous and gender confused.

Let’s try one thing at a time; most artists working today seldom do nudes. You’ve heard me whine about the lack of people in art at shows and the lack of people in art for sale and the lack of people in art because people don’t like having strange people hanging around on their walls. No where does this exempt nekkid people. People are still people whether they have on clothes or not and around these parts they just don’t get painted.

The rest of the BIG MYTH is so obvious it makes me wonder of these are the folks who watch Ghost Hunters, a television show in which nothing but whispering happens hour after hour. Get serious, central heat is a new invention, relatively. Until the later part of the nineteenth century most places were heated by fireplace, which means one side warm the other Birdseye. If you, male or female can talk a beautiful woman into getting starkers in a room where meat can sit out without fear of spoilage you shouldn’t be doing art, you need to be a lawyer or televangelist and make some big money! Women generally have more brains than men and do not as a rule get naked in a deep freeze.

And while we are at it lets talk just a minute about the beautiful part. Now I am a huge advocate of using real people in art, people who are not air brushed within an inch of becoming anime, but for most of our known history there has been a gigantic social prohibition against any kind of semi-public nudity. Nice girls don’t, (Until of course folks like Paris Hilton made getting naked a career move), and even not so nice girls don’t and in fact even rotten girls don’t which leaves…professional girls.

Yes, that means exactly what you think it means and that is where ninety percent of artist’s models came from, right off the corner and into the studio. Modeling had much better hours than streetwalking and the perks were better, only one letch to deal with, bathrooms in studio, even if that was an enameled pot behind a curtain and food. Yes, traditionally models worked for food and money and didn’t give a hoot about Fine Art.

And just how did all those nekkid-painting Bohemian artists come by their studios? They had patrons. A patron is much like an absolute dictator without so much social consciousness. They saw what, when and where you will work and for how long and if you don’t believe that read Irving Stone’s The Agony and the Ecstasy.

So much for free-wheeling, licentiousness and wild chandelier swinging parties ‘round the old Sistine Chapel. Sure some artists did have affairs with their models and some artists batted for the other side and so have some Congressmen and you don’t hear a word about how crazy they are!

So forget about it! That part of the BIG MYTH is just so much apple sauce.

I think it begins in public school, the longest, established concentration camp system not condemned by the Geneva Convention.

See there is no more hostile, rigid, structured society than found in the typical high school. Geek, Nerd, Dweeb and a host of unprintable others all leveled at anyone not exactly like everyone else. Try being a happy artist in that climate. They’ll surround you, isolate you and drive you straight for the cliff the lemmings aren’t using.

Who makes up these rules? The ones who fit, that’s right, the ones who fit have the most to lose and the most to protect. They are the arbiters of all things high school. And they come down with the hammer if you don’t go along with the program.

Now let’s say you’re an artist, only you don’t know it. Maybe it takes twenty or thirty years to find out that what you were meant to do is create fine art. They’ll let you pace yourself and find the things which bring meaning to your life. Not on this planet, anything which upsets the established order like someone who can’t be fit in a neat little box had better get with the program or get on the road.

But after four miserable years you get your reprieve and graduate and join the larger society where things will be so much better.

Not a chance. Those same people who haunted, harassed and hate you in school have become the bankers, legislators, judges and policefolk of the country and they haven’t changed or forgotten a thing. They still think you’re a dork.

They also become talking heads because as we now being pretty is much more important to the news than being smart. And with rare exceptions they bring their own mythology to the tube. Those cheerleaders and football heroes of yester year don’t like anyone they can’t put on the shelf.

Now I have nothing against footballers and cheerleaders, I was a football player myself, while I was flailing around trying to figure out what I was going to be when I grew up, and sure I had some pretty rigid notions about what sort of people should be catching the headlines. Trouble was I did eventually grow up.

I never really liked Rock’n’Roll, couldn’t stand the Beatles and Elvis makes me want to drive red-hot nails into my ears. I liked jazz, you know, the divine Ella, Big Bands and Hoagie Carmichael’s immortal Stardust and for many, many years I thought there was something wrong with me. See a lot of folks told me so along with the Dweeb/Nerd word.

Took a while but I finally found out that there are a bunch of other people just like me who love jazz and aren’t so crazy for Rock.

And that’s where the lesson is for today class; when you hear someone say “All artists are crazy…” consider the source.

Superstition: National Juried Illustration Exhibition

Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM announces a call to artists for a juried exhibition at Runnels Gallery, April 3-27, 2012. Social, cultural, political, gender, and sexual superstitions are deeply engrained into the lives of many people. The scope and belief of superstitions can be so powerful that they govern people's daily interactions, practices, and choices. The aim of this exhibition is to feature illustrations that offer personal narrative surrounding superstition. Open to any artist living in the continental United States. Illustrations can be traditional hand drawn/painted illustration, digital illustration, or a combination of both. Illustrations must be original, completed within the last five years, and not previously shown at the Eastern New Mexico University's Runnels Gallery. All work must be two-dimensional, framed artwork that cannot exceed 40" in height and length and must be properly wired for hanging. No saw tooth hangers. Frames must be black, white, or silver. Matting must be black, white, or any shade of gray. No illustrations requiring electricity, water, or perishable items will be accepted. Download prospectus (PDF format). $20 for 1 to 2 entries, $40 for 3 to 6 entries. Deadline: March 16, 2012. Questions? Contact Bryan Hahn at Bryan.Hahn@enmu.edu or call 575-562-2778

Hey, Hot Shot! A Photography Competition

 Hey, Hot Shot!, the premier international photography competition, is now open for entries! Submit 5 photographs from a single body of work by March 14, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) for your shot at $10,000 and more. Our esteemed panel selects five photographers per round of competition. Each selected photographer will be awarded a $500 honorarium, participation in the 2012 Hot Shot Exhibition at Jen Bekman Gallery in New York, and the opportunity to release an edition on 20x200. From these Hot Shots, one image maker will be selected by Jen Bekman Projects to win the grand prize of $10,000, a solo exhibition at the Jen Bekman Gallery, and representation from the gallery for two years, commencing with his/her selection. Vist website for details. Entry fee starting at $60. Questions? Email help@heyhotshot.com

Focal Point: Fine Art and Creative Photography Exhibition

The Maryland Federation of Art invites all artists residing in the US and Canada to submit any original work created in any form of photography. Cash awards $1000. Juror, Margaret Adams received an MFA in Photography from Temple University and teaches at Corcoran College of Art + Design, George Washington University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and Maryland Institute College of Art. Selected artwork will be on view May 25-June 17, 2012 at MFA's Circle Gallery, 18 State Circle, Annapolis, MD. Deadline: March 14, 2012. Online submissions only. One-two entries $35 (MFA members $20), additional four entries $5.00 each. Visit website for prospectus. Questions? Please contact Kyle Freeman at info@mdfedart.org or call 410-268-4566.

Networking

Did you know that most people living in the United States say they selected their church because of the networking possibilities? Gimme that old time religion and how bout them Giants?

I’m not at all sure this is the best way to find a place to contemplate your relationship with the universe or even your place in the PTA, but that’s what the polls say and I’m guessing they spent a lot of time and money to find that little factoid out.

Now I don’t know about you, but I am just not the joining type. Could be I had a terrible childhood and it scared my delicate psyche, could be the phase of the moon, could be I’m just peculiar, but I don’t do collectives, okay, I do do collectives but not well.

And it’s not that I don’t find large groups of people fascinating, some of them are and some of them aren’t, it’s just the whole bunch thing sends me screaming for some space.

Now I know people who will not get in an elevator. They are convinced that if they do the walls will close in on them like one of those horrible traps Ming the Merciless set for Flash Gordon in the serials. I know writers who make their characters share this elevator panic. Truth is everyone at one time or another has been on an elevator when it jumped or bumped and it felt for a second like the damned thing was going to stop between floors and trap you like a rat.

(I’m thinking being trapped in an elevator is a lot better than being trapped in a sinking ship or a crippled airplane, forced to land on a peak in the Andes where you will suffer from frostbite, boredom and eventually eat your fellow passengers unless they eat you first and you know how bad that is for your cholesterol, human beings, as the talking heads are so fond or reminding us, have become so obese and you are supposed to watch the amount of fatty food you take in because it causes all sorts of terrible problems, like high cholesterol, diabetes and the heartbreak of psoriasis. But in an elevator someone is sure to come along long before you start munching on your pals and strangers in that elevator so aside from the panic attacks the lack of a bathroom, getting trapped in an elevator isn’t all that bad, when you think about it.)

So it’s common for people to have fears about elevators but not so common for people not to like groups. Okay, the Republicans don’t like a bunch of groups, undocumented immigrants, liberals, intellectuals, artists, Bohemians and Presidents, but that’s not likely to bother anyone who is an artist, right?

So here’s the deal, networking is the way most things in this country get done, ninety percent of the jobs are found by networking, ninety-five percent of all vendors depend on networking to supply their clients, ninety-eight percent of all business depend on networking to spread their good works far and wide so if you aren’t out there doing your best to rub elbows with all of those other potential networkers you’ve missed the boat!

Now I might have mentioned I come from Texas and in Texas grown men don’t touch anyone unless, A) They don’t have a gun, B) They are getting ready to slap the sand out of someone or C) they are playing a team sport.

So you see there are legitimate reasons why my elbow rubbing skills are unpolished. But that shouldn’t stop you. This is Oregon. I’ve seen people I don’t even know give hugs to people I would worry about if they were handcuffed to a police cruiser. And networking takes a lot less intimate contact than hugging.

Why network? Because you can’t be everywhere, it’s that simple. There are people who travel to Portland, Salem and Eugene every week; they know things that isolated in Coos Bay/North bend we’ll never find out.

I hear Yvonne Ousely has pieces in the OSU Ancient Americas show, suppose she knows a thing or two about both primitive art and weaving? I’d guess so, but to know for sure you’d have to ask her. She happens to know a pretty good artist, Michael William Ousely, local star painter and man about town. Guess what, you could get a double dip by talking to both of them at the same meeting and maybe exchanging success stories. People love to talk about successful folks, especially artists.

Archi, yes, that Archi, the one who decides if your submission to Expressions West is going to get passed on to the jury or tossed in the bin because you didn’t read the prospectus and submitted your images on 4 X 5 slides and no one wants to deal with a slide the size of home plate and besides the prospectus specifically said disk submission and now you are out of luck except Archi will probably be nice and let you fix the problem or at least won’t toss your submission in the bin without warning, that Archi had a birthday, (Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you…), and everyone came out. Were you there?

If you were you had a chance to network with your peers while paying dues to the Imperial Omnipotent Stomper and eat some pretty good grub, artists in Coos Bay/North Bend seem to be awfully good cooks, and all for nothing except showing up.

Sure there was a lot of talk and the place was packed and no one spent a bunch of time with any one place or person, but that’s what makes networking so important, it doesn’t feel like a plug, it doesn’t take a lot of time and it may not do a thing…right now.

But it will some time when you least expect it. All you have to do is do it.

Oh yeah, about those elevator fears, make sure the person you get on with is smaller than you, that way if you have to eat them or starve they won’t put up so much of a fight you’ll be too tired to enjoy your meal.