New Orleans and the Louisiana Watercolor Society 44th International Exhibition

I just had a wonderful weekend in New Orleans!  Saturday was the reception for the Louisiana Watercolor Society’s 44th International Exhibition at the Garden District Gallery.  It was a such a treat meeting some of the other artists in the show.  I had a chance to meet David Poxon via Skype, since he is in the UK, and a fellow Facebook friend Vicki Monette, whom I got to know through Carrie Waller. So nice to finally meet her in person.   All had fabulous work in the show.  Sorry I didn’t get to meet Facebook friends, Carrie, Iain Stewart, and Arena Shawn, who couldn’t make the reception but got to see their lovely paintings.   Thanks to judge Anne Abgott for including my painting in the show and for jurying such a well balanced beautiful body of work for this exhibition!  And a special thank you to all the LWS members who organized the show.  Without all of their hard work these events wouldn’t happen!

One of the rooms in the Garden District Gallery

The Garden District Gallery is catty-corner from the famous Commander's Palace Restaurant in the Garden District

I didn’t know the long weekend was going to start off with such an adventure.  I had dinner with friends Friday evening when Iarrived only to come out of the restaurant in a torrential downpour, and my phone piercing my ear drums to tell us there were flash flood warnings.  Luckily we werein and SUV and my friend had experience driving through flood water. Looking down the side streets off of St. Charles Ave.,  on the way back to the inn, I was getting a bit nervous seeing water up to the middle of doors on the parked cars!  With my friends expert driving, we made it to the street where my car was parked and luckily the water hadn’t passed the bottom of my car door.  If I had been parked on the South side of St. Charles, I would have been in trouble!  I moved my car to higher ground and waded back to my room with water almost up to my knees! (You will just have to trust me, it was dark and I was a bit scattered to take pictures!) By morning the water was gone and all had gone back to normal.

After the reception Saturday afternoon and dinner,  I was lucky to stumble upon the annual Champagne Stroll on Magazine Street!  Sunday, I spent the day wondering around the French Quarter and the Garden District, getting inspired by all the beautiful iron work and architecture and taking lots of photos.  I’ve already got some potential painting ideas swimming in my head!

Nothing better than this! Jazz in the French Quarter!

Nothing better than this either, a paté sandwich and a glass of iced tea  at Le Croissant d'Or Bakery

A pilgrimage to the Avart- Peretti House where Tennessee Williams wrote Streetcar Named Desire, one of the best plays and movies ever!

Ironically the house is currently a shop named "Fleurty Girl"

On a side note, speaking of Streetcar Named Desire, in the movie actress Kim Hunter,  won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1951 for her role as Stella.  Iv'e always had an affinity for this actress, because we had the same name until I got married! :-)

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Birth of Impressionism and the Musee Marmottan Monet in Paris

Ahhhh April in Paris!  What a better month to hold an art exhibition. On this day exactly one hundred and forty years ago was an exhibition that changed the art world forever.

On April 15, 1874 a small group of artists put together a small independent art show to buck the establishment of academic painters and salons.  This exhibition led by artists Claude Monet featured other works by, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot.  They called themselves the Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptures, etc.

It wasn’t untilfrench art critique Louis Leroy entitled his nasty, scathing critique in a french newspaper, “Exhibition of Impressionists”  for which one particular painting by Claude Monet inspired this title, that the group would eventually be coined the “Impressionists.”   It was his, Impression: Sunrise.

When I lived in Paris I was so fortunate to see this painting many times as well as other works by Monet, Renoir and Morisot at the Musée Mormottan Monet, which is in the 16th arrondissement only a few blocks from where I lived.  Originally a hunting lodge on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, it is a gem of a museum.  It has been bequeathed with many beautiful works of art over the years, most notably in 1966, Michel Monet’s collection of works inherited from his father.

What I love about Monet’scollection here is there are works that seem to be works in progress and those that weredone during his later years when he was afflicted with cataracts.  With these one can get a sense of his painting process. And the color palette from the cataract years is much warmer with golds and yellows,  not typically Monet but are gorgeous.

It wasn’t until the third exhibition by these plus other independent artists that they gave in and officially called them selves “Impressionists.”

Today on the birthday of this major art movement I wanted to pay homage to the “Artists Independent” who later became known as “Impressionists,”  the painting that coined the term, and the Museum where it currently residues!

A side note, Impression: Sunrise was stolen from the Musée Marmottan Monet in 1985, recovered in 1990 and has been back on display since 1991.

These are the artists that participated in the first Impressionist Exhibition:

• Zacharie Astruc

• Antoine-Ferdinand Attendu

• Édouard Béliard

• Eugène Boudin

• Félix Braquemond

• Édouard Brandon

• Pierre-Isidore Bureau

• Adolphe-Félix Cals

• Paul Cézanne

• Gustave Colin

• Louis Debras

• Edgar Degas

• Jean-Baptiste Armand Guillaumin

• Louis LaTouche

• Ludovic-Napoléon Lepic

• Stanislas Lepine

• Jean-Baptiste-Léopold Levert

• Alfred Meyer

• Auguste De Molins

• Claude Monet

• Mademoiselle Berthe Morisot

• Mulot-Durivage

• Joseph DeNittis

• Auguste-Louis-Marie Ottin

• Léon-Auguste Ottin

• Camille Pissarro

• Pierre-Auguste Renoir

• Stanislas-Henri Rouart

• Léopold Robert

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This Weekend Women Painters of the Southeast Show Opens and The National Georgia Watercolor Society Show Closes

Lotus Nocturne

$175.00

Price Includes Shipping

Limited Edition Archival Giclée Print Signed and Numbered, Edition of 300

Original painting is SOLD.

Image Size:  Half size from original, 19.5" x 9.25," (23.5 cm x 49.5 cm)

Shipped flat with backing board.

Purchase

Opening this weekend through April 18 is the 3rd Annual Women Painters of the Southeast Juried Exhibition at the Magnolia Gallery in Greensboro Georgia.  I have two paintings in the show, Lotus Nocturne and Bananas on Japanese Box.  Both will be available for purchase during the exhibition.  Sadly I am not able to attend this year.  Last year’s event in Franklin Tennessee was one of the highlights of the year.  There are so many talented women artists in this show.  I will be with you all in spirit!

Also, the 2014 Juried National Georgia Watercolor Society exhibition closes on March 31.  This will be your last chance to see more amazing painting at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, in Carrollton Georgia.   My painting Waiting in the Wings is in this show.

Both of these shows areright outside of Atlanta. Stop by if you are in the area!

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New Work... Star Struck

Star Struck

$500.00

Watercolor 

Mounted on Archival Board with 2" Wood Edge

12" x 12" x 2,"  (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 5cm)

Accepted into the 2015 Women Painters of the Southeast Annual Exhibition at the Blue Ridge Arts Association, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Inspired by the light and cast shadows on a bromeliad. 

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When I saw the light hitting this bromeliad and the shadows that were cast I knew I had to paint it.  This piece for me was more about shapes, shadows and warm against cool color, than the actual plant!  After spending almost 5 months designing and painting the Coral Reef Restaurant menu project for Disney, I wanted to work on a small painting that only took 3 days to paint as opposed to months!

I also wanted to experiment with mounting a painting on a board and sealing it instead of framing behind glass.  Stay tuned as that will be the next step to this paintings completion.

If you live in the central Florida area the Central Florida Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition opens tonight at the Sanford Welcome Center.  There will be 54 paintings on display from the members.  The show will be up until April 22 and the reception for the show will be April 19 from 6:00-8:00. My painting Bird’s Eye view will be there. Thank you to juror Karlyn Holman for including it in the show.   Hope to see you then!

Bird's Eye View

$1,750.00

Watercolor, Framed

11.5" x 30," (29 cm x 76 cm)

Framed Size "19.5 x 37.75," price includes frame

Selected for the 2nd Annual Women Painters of the Southeast Exhibition, 2013, at the Imagine Gallery of Fine Art, Franklin Tennessee

Selected for the 2014 Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition

When I lived in California I had a persimmon tree in my backyard and I have been enamored with this fruit ever since.  I loved in the winter when all the leaves had fallen from the tree and these bright orange fruits where dangling from all the branches. That is the inspiration for this painting.

Email me for purchase information.

Purchase

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The Triptych by Dustin Yellin at the SCAD Museum of Art

I was in Savannah Georgia last weekend and every time I go, I always visit the SCAD Museum of Art.   SCAD is the acronym for Savannah College of Art and Design.  There are also campuses in in Atlanta, Hong Kong and France.  The college is integrated into the historical town of Savannah with most buildings having been renovated or repurposed for classroom facilities, dorms, student centers and most notably the Museum of Art.  The university’s commitment to historic preservation and adaptive use is most evident in this facility.  The oldest part of the building dates to 1853 and was once part of the oldest surviving antebellum railroad depot in the country.  In 2011 with an addition designed my architect Christian Sottile, a SCAD alumnus and dean the School of Building Arts, it has been transformed into a premier contemporary art facility, mounting an exhibition each academic quarter.

The back side and shadow projections on wall

One exhibit that is currently showing absolutely blew me away.  I have never seen anything like it and felt compelled to share.  The piece is by artist, Dustin Yellin, titled The Triptych, 2012, glass, collage, acrylic, measuring 46.5” x 208” x 27”.  Yellin lives in Brooklyn, NY and is best known for his sculptural painting.  Multiple glass layers are individually embellished then combined to create an intricate three dimensional collage.  The Triptych is his largest most complex work to date.  It weighs twelve tons and is comprised of three panels, of roughly 58 panels of glass each.  It is a three dimensional viewing experience.  Walking in the dimly lit room on closer inspection the glowing mass, depicts a surreal mythical spectacle embodying Yellin’s vision of the world and consciousness.

Side view showing layering of glass panels

This is one of those pieces that you could never take in with one viewing and I wish I could have the chance to see it again.  Layer upon layer of images, mostly antique found images and others that may have been created by Yellin, collaged together on each panel of glass.  There are also appears to be areas articulated with ink and or paint.   When the panels are sandwiched together the images come to life in a three dimensional manner, that harken back to what could be a glorified View Master view or multi-plane animation effort.

Details of first panel

Not only is the work so intriguing to look at and study, but I couldn’t help wondering, as I usually always do, about the logistics of creating such a monumental piece.  If you live near Savannah or are visiting,  this is worth seeing.

Detail of third panel

Next week I’ll share another intriguing art installation in Savannah.

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Acceptance into the 44th Annual Juried International Louisiana Watercolor Society Exhibition

Mayan Gate

$1,500.00

Watercolor, Framed

14.5” x 21.5,” (37 cm x 54.5 cm)

Framed Size 21.5" x 28.5," price includes frame

Selected for the Louisiana Watercolor Society 44th International Juried Exhibition 2014

Selected for theFlorida Watercolor Society's On Line Exhibition, 2014

Selected for Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 34th Annual Juried International Competition, 2013

Selected for the Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition 2013 at the Terrace Gallery, City Hall, Orlando Florida

This painting was inspired by the wonderful Mayan Revival Architecture at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Florida, designed by J. Andre Smith. 

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I'm thrilled and honored to share that Mayan Gate has been chosen to be in the 44th Annual International Louisiana Watercolor Society Exhibition.  This one is very special because I am a huge fan of juror, Anne Abgott.  Thanks Anne!

The show will be at the Garden District Gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana from  May 2-May 25, 2014.  I'm hoping my schedule will allow me to go see the show.  I am embarrassed to  say I have never been to New Orleans.  I think this is the perfect excuse to go!

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Acceptance into the Annual Central Florida Watercolor Exhibition

Bird's Eye View

$1,750.00

Watercolor, Framed

11.5" x 30," (29 cm x 76 cm)

Framed Size "19.5 x 37.75," price includes frame

Selected for the 2nd Annual Women Painters of the Southeast Exhibition, 2013, at the Imagine Gallery of Fine Art, Franklin Tennessee

Selected for the 2014 Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition

When I lived in California I had a persimmon tree in my backyard and I have been enamored with this fruit ever since.  I loved in the winter when all the leaves had fallen from the tree and these bright orange fruits where dangling from all the branches. That is the inspiration for this painting.

Email me for purchase information.

Purchase

I'm feeling honored and blessed to be able to do what I love to do and it's just icing on the cake when my work is recognized by jurors to be included into exhibitions with other talented artists.  Found out this weekend that my painting Bird's Eye View which is the header for my blog and Facebook page, was selected by juror Karlyn Holman for the Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition.  Karlyn is a nationally recognized watercolor artist, teacher and author. If you are in the central Florida area, the exhibition will be at the Sanford Welcome Center, Sanford, Florida, March 28-April 22.

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Accepted into the 35th National Georgia Watercolor Society Exhibition

I’m thrilled, my painting Waiting in the Wings was chosen for the 35th National Georgia Watercolor Society’s Exhibition!  This is my second year in the show.  Last year my painting Hong Kong Happy Hour was chosen.  It’s always a great honor for me to be juried into shows, and to have my work included with some of the most talented watercolorists in the nation for national shows and from all over the world for international shows.

If you enter a few shows a year whichI do, the logistics of keeping track of it all can be tricky!  Some show dates conflict with each other.   Therefore a careful review of your inventory is necessary to decide which paintings will be submitted where.  Some will accept three paintings for the judge to see, some accept two, and some only accept one.  But usually only one paintingis juried into the show.  Many shows are going on at the same time, therefore if you submit three paintings for one judge to review for a particular show, those can not be submitted for other shows because any one of the three could be chosen and you don’t know which one it will be!

You always want to submit your best work, but usually out of the two or three you submit, you have a personal favorite that you feel is the strongest.  But, your favorite may not be the favorite of the judge, and he or she will choose their preference!  Judges are different from show to show.  Therefore, if a piece is rejected one year, from one organization, doesn’t mean it will be another time from a different judge!

If you are interested in submitting work to juried shows, keep your brushes moving so that you have a good inventory to choose from.  Only submit you strongest work that you are most proud of.  Keep careful records so that you don’t submit the same painting that may be tied up in another show, sold, or not be shipped back to you in time for the other deadline.  Most of all don’t give up!!! Rejection is all part of the process which doesn’t mean you are a bad painter or your work is bad either.  The way I look at rejection from shows is, the judge’s taste just didn’t lean toward my work, and now I have a painting that is available as consideration for another show, where the judge’s taste might lean in my direction!

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Mayan Gate is in the Florida Watercolor Society's 2014 On Line Show

Mayan Gate

$1,500.00

Watercolor, Framed

14.5” x 21.5,” (37 cm x 54.5 cm)

Framed Size 21.5" x 28.5," price includes frame

Selected for the Louisiana Watercolor Society 44th International Juried Exhibition 2014

Selected for theFlorida Watercolor Society's On Line Exhibition, 2014

Selected for Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 34th Annual Juried International Competition, 2013

Selected for the Annual Central Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition 2013 at the Terrace Gallery, City Hall, Orlando Florida

This painting was inspired by the wonderful Mayan Revival Architecture at the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Florida, designed by J. Andre Smith. 

Email me for purchase information.

Purchase

Mayan Gate has been accepted into the Florida Watercolor Society's 2014 On Line Show! Thanks to juror M.E. Mike Bailey and many congratulations to all my fellow Florida artists!!! Feeling honored, 35 were chosen from 243 entries.  Click here to see the show.

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A Good Way to Start the New Year!

Lotus Nocturne

$175.00

Price Includes Shipping

Limited Edition Archival Giclée Print Signed and Numbered, Edition of 300

Original painting is SOLD.

Image Size:  Half size from original, 19.5" x 9.25," (23.5 cm x 49.5 cm)

Shipped flat with backing board.

Purchase

Happy New Year Everyone! As I look back on the year I’m so thankful I get to do what I love to do, paint and create a bit of beauty in the world!  I’ve been thinking about some goals for the year, a new series of paintings I’d like to do.  I am also planning on teaching workshops which I’m very excited about!  What are your art goals for the year?  If you would like, please share with a comment.

I started off the year with some great news!  Two of my paintings, Lotus Nocturne and Bananas on Japanese Box,  have been juried in to the 2nd Annual Women Painters of the Southeast Exhibition.  This years show will beat the Magnolia Gallery in Greensboro Georgia,  March 28-April 18.

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