I'm excited to announce that in March & April 2012 I will be teaching two workshops at Appel Farm Arts & Music Center. I will be teaching workshops for young artists, ages 6 and up. Check out my instructor profile for more information about the workshops.
I have a special connection to Appel Farms from the Visual Art Academy. I helped create "Beauty and the Beast" and a permanent clay sculpture which is installed at Schalick High School. For each project we worked extensively at Appel Farm with talented, visiting artists. I have a lot of great memories from those experiences and I am looking forward to returning to Appel Farm but this time as an instructor.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Everything Happens for a Reason
One of the most important things to remember when entering a juried show is that your piece might not get accepted. Unfortunately, Joanie's Wildflowers did not make the cut for the Perkin's Works on Paper Exhibition (A first time experience for me). So after a little encouragement from my fellow artist friends, I decided to try again! This past weekend I entered Joanie's Wildflowers (and a drawing) in Markeim Arts Center current show. I realize that everything happens for a reason. There are some exceptional artists being featured and I am so honored to be a participant in this show! The opening is this Friday the 14th from 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. with food and live music. If you don't have any plans be sure to stop out!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Last Year's Inspiration
I've been gathering new photographs and ideas for my next painting but there has been an image that I keep going back to. It was so breathtaking when I first saw it almost a year ago and I often think of it for so many reasons: the colors, the shadows, and the memories. I have found that my most successful paintings are of landscapes that I have experienced and truly connected with. This image is an example of just that.
Last year, I was lucky enough to take a vacation to Rileyville, VA where we visited the Luray Caverns. When we arrived in the area we were a little early to check into our cabin so we decided to take a drive on Skyline Drive. It was absolutely amazing! Now that the weather is becoming cooler and the leaves are starting to change I find myself thinking of that trip again and it is inspiring me to create my next painting.
Last year, I was lucky enough to take a vacation to Rileyville, VA where we visited the Luray Caverns. When we arrived in the area we were a little early to check into our cabin so we decided to take a drive on Skyline Drive. It was absolutely amazing! Now that the weather is becoming cooler and the leaves are starting to change I find myself thinking of that trip again and it is inspiring me to create my next painting.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday Art Events
Yesterday was an eventful and motivating day! I finished my latest painting, Joanie's Wild Flowers, and entered it into the Works on Paper Exhibition at the Perkin Center for the Arts. I also attended Millville's Third Friday with some art friends to see the new exhibits. I was lucky enough to meet Alex Alampi, a local watercolor artist, at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts. I also really enjoyed the kinetic and interactive exhibit of Kenny Delio at the Clay College. If you are in the Millville area, you should check it out! After strolling the streets and galleries we had an amazing dinner at Winfield's. Yesterday's exposure to the local arts gave me more inspiration and I'm excited to begin gathering new ideas and photographs for my next painting.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Update: Joanie's Wild Flowers
I've made more progress on Joanie's Wild Flowers. There is still more to complete but I'm working hard to finish it this week and enter it in the Works on Paper 2011 show at Perkins Center for the Arts. Observations and comments are appreciated.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Works in Progress: Ebeemee,Maine & Joanie's Wild Flowers
A week has flown by already and I thought I'd share some in progress photographs of the two paintings I am currently working on.
The first painting is a commission based on a 4"x6" vacation photograph from Ebeemee, Maine. I realized while beginning work that I found it difficult to connect with the painting because I had never experienced the place that I was depicting. All of the paintings that I have created are locations of significance to me and where I visit often. However, I was very determined to understand this landscape with what information I had.
I had the amazing opportunity to visit Ebeemee while I was on vacation in Maine this July. I took many reference pictures to gain a better understanding of Maine's landscape as it drastically differs from the farm fields of Southern New Jersey! After vacation, I began working with a new found inspiration. From this painting I have come to realize how important it is to fully experience a landscape to gain a better comprehension of the specific characteristics it has to offer.
The second painting is based on a picture that I took of wild flowers on Watson's Mill Road. In the two pictures I have shown the progress I have made in the last two sessions. In the first picture, I painted the sky and location of the stems. In the second picture, I blocked out some of the flowers and most importantly started the daunting task of adding more values and textures in the grass. In this painting I want to focus upon the beauty nature offers within chaos.
The first painting is a commission based on a 4"x6" vacation photograph from Ebeemee, Maine. I realized while beginning work that I found it difficult to connect with the painting because I had never experienced the place that I was depicting. All of the paintings that I have created are locations of significance to me and where I visit often. However, I was very determined to understand this landscape with what information I had.
I had the amazing opportunity to visit Ebeemee while I was on vacation in Maine this July. I took many reference pictures to gain a better understanding of Maine's landscape as it drastically differs from the farm fields of Southern New Jersey! After vacation, I began working with a new found inspiration. From this painting I have come to realize how important it is to fully experience a landscape to gain a better comprehension of the specific characteristics it has to offer.
Ebeemee, Maine - Acrylics on Canvas - 8" x 12"
I am still working the clouds in the sky and their respective reflections in the lake.
The second painting is based on a picture that I took of wild flowers on Watson's Mill Road. In the two pictures I have shown the progress I have made in the last two sessions. In the first picture, I painted the sky and location of the stems. In the second picture, I blocked out some of the flowers and most importantly started the daunting task of adding more values and textures in the grass. In this painting I want to focus upon the beauty nature offers within chaos.
Joanie's Wild Flowers - Acrylics on Paper - 9"x12"
I am still working to create depth and texture in the grass as well as forming the flowers
If you have any comments, please feel free to share!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A Start to Something New
Today marks the start of something new - my blog! This will be a place where I will be updating viewers on new projects, exhibitions, observations, and inspiration. I have found that sharing ideas with others provides conversation that motivates me to keep thinking and creating. It is my hope that my blog will become a resource for interaction with fellow artists and appreciators of art alike.
I decided to start a blog about my artwork after reading I'd Rather Be In the Studio by Alyson B. Stanfield. This book is a must read for any artist wanting to know more about self-promotion. I have shared it with artists I know locally and we cannot stop talking about all of the useful information it has to offer. If you have read the book or follow Alyson's Art Biz Blog, what information have you found to be most beneficial for your art career?
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