Art for the Soul

Analee Fuentes Ghosts of the Past and Future

2010-10-22T12:50:00.001-07:00

I met Analee Fuentes at the Maude Kerns Art Center’s Dia De Los Muertos show this year, first through her works and then in person.

Analee was born in San Diego, California and raised in an area I am well familiar with, Barrio Logan. I worked for awhile at Continental Maritime of San Diego and drove through Barrio Logan often and loved the murals and art I saw in that area. It is no wonder Analee came to love art and the culture she was a part of growing up.

It always amazes me when I look back on my life and see the influences on my life and how little I realized the effect my environment had on who I am today. Analee Fuentes now beautifully portrays culture, mysticism, color of the past in beautiful works, like the one above, with the world today and the tenderness that surpasses the grave. Her presentations of this and other works for the Dia De Los Muertos bring mortality into the land of the living in a hauntingly sensual and sensitive look at death and life.

I went to Analee’s website (http://analeefuentes.com/) to understand more fully the depth of her work and found a treasure of visual images that is impressive. Graphic images of color and diversity with smoothly rippled water and crossed fingers of the lottery along with earthy and earthly portraits that focus razor fine on small aspects of a larger view.

Meeting Analee was a little like meeting a calmer side of life spiced with a peppers of enthusiasm of her work. The thing I liked most about this artist is her willingness to open to her environment. Reading her biography page I was impressed by this particular paragraph:

"The Northwest has a distinct cultural history laced with stories of immigration and racial movements; most emphasize the Eastward route led by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. My awareness of the influx to our region is different, focusing more on the Northwest movement, the ongoing movement from Atzlan, the current “Oregon Trail.” It is more like the swirling of a living river than a wagon train. I necessarily view my surroundings from my perspective, in the here and now. Here is where Sasquach meets El Chupacabra, where Chalupas are not little boats, but something one eats at Taco Time." ~ Analee Fuentes

There are many trails like the Oregon Trail and I am glad her’s crossed mine at this show and I was treated to her wonderful sense of culture and the timelessness of her creations. I’ll look for future works and showings of this fine artist in the future.

Día de los Muertos Arist Talk
by Analee Fuentes
Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 7-8:30pm
The Maude Kerns Art Center invites the public to a special Día de los Muertosartist talk by Analee Fuentes on Wednesday, October 27, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Center. Fuentes, a Mexican American artist living in Coburg, has four pieces in the current exhibit, including a striking image of two skeletal lovers kissing and a humorous rendition in watercolor of the famous Grant Wood painting, American Gothic. She will speak about her work within the context of the popular Día de los Muertos holiday.

Art for All Seasons 2009

2009-11-22T20:46:00.001-08:00

It is time again for Maude Kerns "Art for all Seasons" and here I am, in a rare appearance, with my two entries., the two Autumn Leaves images.

Renee Manford was there and bought one of Sarkis' paintings while viewing the great art from the Maude Kerns members.

Another of Sarkis' works was featured under the Sign for the show

Personally I really liked this shot with the young lady and thought it was a perfect play off the painting.

There wasn't just paintings but also some beautiful ceramics...

... of all shapes,...

... colors, ...

... sizes,...

... and colors.

The paintings were a combination of skills, technique and media as great as the patrons who came in large numbers.

They enjoyed the art, artists and each other on a cool autumn night.

Some of many art receptions are the interactions between artists and here Jerry Ross and Sarkis Antikajian are having a high level discussion in the stage area.

The "Old Schoolhouse" Art Show

2009-11-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

It's time for the "Old Schoolhouse" Art Show in Creswell ready to roll and find Librarian Stacy in her famous pink tennis shoes ...

... and we show up early to set out the goodies.

As the artists arrive Carol gives everyone a formal welcome in her own warm way.

In the audience is Shirley, Victoria and our Newspaper's owner, editor, publisher and photographer Helen.

More and more people showed up during the reception and we even had one guest from Massachusetts (the young man on the left). Another luminary was Paul Bourgault (in the background) whose painting from a few years ago was the inspiration for inviting the other Plein Air artists to Creswell for the paintout and show.

The art is fantastic...

Sarkis Antikajian's piece included a very active scene with a biker and a couple walking on the sidewalk.

That's Sarkis in the center and Plein Air Coordinator Brooks Hickerson on the right.

I especially liked the wall colors that were a great contrast to the paintings like this one by Shirley Froyd.

While sitting at a table I took this shot of Shirley looking at the paintings.

One of the early sellers was Victoria Biedron's Window painting and Sharyn liked it so much she got permission to use the image on Thank You cards for the "Save the Schoolhouse" committee.

I talked a little with Victoria and found that she began painting four short years ago and I was amazed and realized the natural talent gains experience much faster than us mere mortals.

I am so proud to be a part of the Plein Air group and especially proud of the Save the Schoolhouse committee of Creswell for their ability to set up such a great show and the support of Esther, Stacy and Yaakov and Su of the library staff for their help.

The artists that participated came from all over Lane county. Bets Cole from Elmira had a painting with a wonderful view of the Schoolhouse from the southwest corner.

Bets is probably the most expressive person I've ever met and I promise I won't try to get a picture unless it's in bright sunlight and with the camera set for 1/4,000 th of a second or faster because she is constantly moving.

Bets did slow down slightly to talk with Brooks Hickerson's son.

Can you guess that Brooks was a Texan in his younger years.

Verlean (I hope I spelled it right) and Holly seemed to be having a great time as Holly obviously was expressing something with great emphasis.

I noticed something familiar over Victoria's shoulder - a purse exactly like Sharyn's with only one difference being ther black strap rather than red.

Plein Air Painters are the artists that can be seen painting at outdoor locations so seeing the "Outdoor Life" magazine behind Victoria was a nice little coincidence and I'm betting the "100 Best" quote may be prophetic.

It was a great gathering and it's amazing how many interesting things we discover in conversations. I found out the Brooks and Peggie Hickerson were married at University of Houston at the same time Sharyn and I met at U of H. Jane Vincent a member of our City Council was there and it was very nice to meet her.

I just loved the company and the smiles...

... and like me Brooks has a blog, his being specifically for the Plein Air painters ...

It was a lovely evening with some very special folks. I will enjoy revisiting the Creswell Library to see their creations and miss them when they leave on December 7.

No Scrabble tonight

Quote of the Day ~

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Retrospective - Art Walks in Eugene March 2008

2009-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

Eugene is a wonderful city to walk through at night and especially nice if it's cool and after a rain. Lights reflect off of the streets and the breeze is soft and refreshing.

Steam rises from an EWEB steam vent cover and the heat is noticeable by the dry area of the street.

I visited the galleries but I only took pictures at the Karin Clarke Gallery. They had an interesting mix of art with a wall of vertical pieces that were perfectly arranged by color.

I was intrigued by this cast aluminum piece called "Wild Man" by Jan Zack

There were several pieces by Nelson Sandgren and his life appears to have been as complex, touching and beautiful as the two pieces below.

This piece is called "The Reunion"

This was may favorite piece by Nelson

After the Art Walk we went to Zenon's for coffee and cake and posed for a picture. Here are me, Renee and Vern with our backs against the wall (an old Ed B saying).

Actually Renee was not drinking just clowning around.

Scrabble score - Rained out

Quote of the Day

My dad worked me like a dog when I was kid. From 8 years old, I was an integral part of his business and working, and you know, made me. ~ Jesse James

Retrospective Art Walks in Eugene - Feb 2, 2008

2009-11-08T21:35:00.000-08:00

It was Matt's birthday when I went on my first art walk. For the next few days I'm republishing many of those great art walks here on my Art for the Soul blog a more fitting place for my adventures in the Eugene/Springfield art scene. Enjoy

The first Friday of every month a group of folks, mostly artists get together and go for a walk through the Art Galleries in Eugene, Oregon's Downtown. I was invited by Vern Wright to join the group and decided I'd try something new. Being a night person it seemed like a great idea although my evenings are usually at home on my computer or enjoying the stillness of the night air.

The place to meet was the Jacobs Gallery at the Hult Center in Eugene at Willamette Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. I was a little late arriving and had never met Vern so I went to the Jacobs Gallery.

Looking back down Willamette from the Hult Center was kind of interesting with the wet streets and the light reflections. By the way that's the mini-musemobile fourth car on the left.

The Hult Center for Performing Arts is actually a complex of buildings with a huge hall for performances and several other spaces for meetings and other activities. The Jacobs Gallery is a part of the complex.

I liked the lights and the angles on the roof across from the gallery.

This metal sculpture was rather interesting and looked a little like an anchor and a fallen TV antenna. I'll go back some time to get some information on the work. I did think it was pretty cool.

I walked into the Jacobs Gallery looking for Vern and asked one of the gallery people if they knew him. There were a couple of gentlemen there and she said one was the husband of one of the artist and she thought the other was one of the artists on display. I kind of hung around and viewed the art and especially liked the work of Claire Flint a local artist with a wonderful style that reminded me of the Greek Orthodox Church I went to when I was very young and the Iconic Art that was there. Click on Clair's name above to see her art.

The next place on the tour (from the information I got from Vern was the OPUS6IX gallery.

The OPUS6IX was much larger and is across 7th Ave. from the Hult just west of Willamette. They even had wine at the door and were very crowded with the sophisticated set. Now you have to understand the sophisticated set in Eugene are not the same as that group in NY, LA or even Portland, they are a pretty nice group of pretty normal group folks that enjoy art and doing interesting things. So I felt very comfortable in my jeans hanging out there. I talked to a wonderfully talented artist named Kirk Lybecker whose work could easily be confused for photography from a distance. I enjoyed talking to Kirk for a short while before I moved on. When I left I noticed that gentleman that was the "artist" from the Jacobs gallery and started to wonder if he might just be Vern but by the time I finished talking to Kirk Lydecker he was gone.

Next I went to the main gallery of the two Karin Clarke galleries on Willamette. Renee Manford, who was in an earlier blog when she gave me an artist's tour of her two shows, works at the Clarke gallery. I enjoyed the art there then walked across the street to the...

White Lotus Gallery where a photographer was on exhibit and there answering questions, he was so busy I never got to talk to him but he had some nice petroglyph photographs and other shots from foreign lands.

I stopped to take this shot of a covered walkway that goes between the Karin Clark Gallery and the M. Jacobs Furniture store.

Across Willamette from the Main Clarke gallery and next to the White Lotus is the Karin Clarke Annex gallery. My favorite artist of the evening was Adam Grosowsky this is one of his pieces through the window.

Next I walked a couple of blocks to the Fenario Gallery. I had visited there about a week ago to check into their printing services.

The art there was very colorful and very creative and I got a chance to talk with person who actually does the technical side of the print services.

I then hung out taking pictures of various things like this grill work on the building at the NE corner of Broadway and Willamette.

I especially like this bicycle.

... and the view down Willamette looking south.

The corners at Broadway and Willamette have these interesting posts and cobblestone sections of the roadway.

There were some stairs going down from the sidewalk near Fenario Gallery but I think it was forbidden territiry.

Eugene is a big bicycle community with miles of bike paths and therefore lots of biclyle racks like these on Willamette near 8th Avenue.

Finally I went back to the Clarke Gallery Annex and found Renee and guess who was there Vern (the man in the middle - he was the person I saw in all the other galleries) and I also got to meet Larry an artist with the Frist Friday Group. We all went to Zenon's for coffee and a little desert [actually Renee had tea] and after a great conversation with them all, we read Renee's tea leaves and decided her art career was about to explode with success. Vern graciously invited me to a First Saturday artists meeting to show and critic each others art. If I can I'll go. They are all very nice folks.

Scrabble Score - No Scrabble since I was out past Scrabble Queen's bedtime.

Quote of the Day ~

"Art is best when the artist creates their life rather creates to live" ~ pviel

Sarkis Antikajian

2009-04-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

Maude Kerns had another opening. It was Sarkis Antikajian a local and well known artist.

Sarkis is not only well known and well respected as an artist he is also a very fine person who is quick to smile and offer help to other artists. I had met Sarkis months ago in the parking lot at Tamarack Health Center where the Plein Air Artist Group was having a show.

Maude Kerns Art Center was doing a retrospective on Sarkis' wonderful works.

This is a great self portrait hung at the entrance of the gallery.

I was most impressed by the variety of works from Oil to Sculpture with a wide variety of themes from Still life to...

... the human form.

There was this wonderful clay and ...

... this colorful image of a man at a table with a spray bottle.

There was man with dog...

... and man reclining.

From black and white ink figures to ...

... and men in a field...

... and I really liked these eerie white trees in a rainbow of background colors.

I liked the girl with sunflowers I think mostly for the focal emphasis on the subject and the nondescript yet colorful background.

I think this was my favorite, a casual look at a girl at rest.

As I got to the back part of the Maude Kerns Center I saw these very unique Tulips caught perfectly in the natural light of the window.

Next to them was a book...

...changing focus I could see Sarkis also had a book on display.

Before leaving I got a picture of one more sculpture. This is a small sample of Sarkis' works for more information visit his website [Click Here] and be prepared to be impressed.

Faye Nakamura

2008-10-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

Pink Ginger by Faye Nakamura

So often we see art as a monolith of canvas and oil or acrylic possibly paper and watercolor but Faye Nakamura shows the diversity of media and creativity of spirit that sets her apart and virtually in a niche of her own. Ceramics, shells - of her creation, a little fabric, tiles and a beautifully created world of fantastic reality.

Her work is best seen with a sense of adventure and thought because every piece I've seen has elements that beg the viewer to think about and envision a life both playful and peaceful at the same time. Delicate yet strong, her women in art guide me to understand that gentle beauty is a only a thin cloak over power and wisdom. Faye creates with a beauty from within that exposes a thoughtful and bold spirit hidden behind an engaging smile.

Some of her work can be found at the Karin Clarke gallery in Eugene, Oregon where she was recently featured in a show I absolutely loved.

Adam Grosowsky

2008-08-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

One of the most interesting artist in the Eugene area is Adam Growsowsky. His art is reminiscent of Rembrandt and Vermeer but with what I consider more sizzle. High contrast and great use of yellow, orange and red against a black void. The works all seem to pop off of the canvas to capture the viewer.

Not only are they bold but for the most part are physically larger than life. I first saw his work at the Karin Clarke Gallery Annex on Willamette and was blown away.

Adam is a professor at Lane Community College where my son just completed his pre-U of O studies and I did get to see him for a brief moment on day I was visiting there.

In preparing for this posting I discovered that Adam is quite an athlete and slackliner. No! Not a slacker. He was one of the pioneers in walking on a slack (the opposite of tight) rope. I found this in an article online:

"Adam and Jeff (a friend) began practicing their balance among the high trees and peaceful valleys of Yosemite in the late seventies, and introduced many people to the sport. They were very good, even by today’s standards, and could do numerous tricks including an impressive juggling routine while both of them were on the line. Adam was an incredible line surfer, and could even do a handstand on the line. These tricks are astounding even among slackliners today."

As a professor there is high praise like the comment below I found also online at a site where students rate their professors.

"Best painting teacher I ever had and I am a 57 yr. old artist; my mentor. A really great teacher who puts his all into it; and a great painter. Hardest I ever worked at any course; quite intense; demands your best and then some. Great exp. that changed how I work for the better."

One of my all time favorite artists Adam's work can be seen at the Karin Clarke Gallery.

Robert Schlegel - Not Bird houses Birds and Houses

2008-07-28T16:18:00.001-07:00

I guess we all have favorites and Robert Schlegel was definitely mine one Friday night in May. Robert Schlegel was kind enough to pose with a set of four smaller birds. I was drawn to this one because the birds are the ones we see at our feeders every year [not not the exact same birds but the same species.

Robert's work reminds me of a term used more often for food than art but it is very appropriate here. This is definitely "comfort art" much the same way my mother's home cooking was and Sharyn's is today "comfort food." Art can hit people different ways and these images of birds and homes were very special. It's a little like Deja Vu looking at the soft yet brilliant colors and feeling, well, comfortable.

Just as we find comfort in rural pastoral settings Robert's homes from a city seem to blend into the soul and tickle the mind.

He shows us the beauty in simplicity and it is more than marks of paint on canvas there is detail in the simplicity that transforms the images into thoughtful look back in time, at least for me.

Houses I am sure I've seen in Louisiana, California, Montana or one of the many Midwestern cities and towns I have passed through in my life all start to find their way back to me as I walk slowly through the Karin Clarke Gallery a representative for his work here in Eugene Oregon.

Birds and...

... houses all great - Thank you Robert. You can visit Roberts Personal Web Page by clicking here or typing http://www.robertschlegel.blogspot.com/

Diane Widler Wenzel - Art on the road

2008-04-07T15:47:00.001-07:00

"Reed Dragon, the Protector"
© Diane Widler Wenzel

Diane writes a bit about this painting

"Reed Dragon, the Protector" is an acrylic painting on museum wrapped canvas, 16" x 20", started on location at Mittery Lake, Arizona, March, 2008. Then at home seeing a fish-like figure in the reeds I pulled out the image and accented the fish dragon.

As some of you may know I have another blog called Travels with a Muse that started with our first trip from Oregon to the East Coast in our Musemobile a 30 foot Winebago Sightseer. Well it just so happens another RV person who has a Sightseer found that blog and wrote me.

It was then I noticed she was an artist who uses her Sightseer as a traveling Art Studio. That artist is Diane Widler Wenzel. We corresponded a bit and I visited her links and to make a long story short I asked her to allow me to feature her on this blog. I've added her links below so you can visit her sites and enjoy her work and creativity.

Links:

Umbrella Watercolors
From Then to Now
When I Get to be Older
Pegasus Art Gallery, Corvallis, Oregon: Artists

She was kind enough to send the image above and more, here is her Artist's Statement:

My outdoor paintings are colored by my captivation with the dragons collected by my paternal family who lived for generations as foreign native merchants in Shanghai. (mid-nineteenth century to 1946)
The outdoors has been a part of my art journey since 1956. I was 13 and we were camping under the redwood trees in Big Sur California when mother gave me her hand made brushes, easel, and wood box of oil paints. Ever since then I have been practicing painting outdoors. Outdoor painting has brought me to a closer relationship with nature on camping, hiking, back packing, boating, and white water rafting trips. Living outdoors gives me time to visualize my place in nature’s mystery. So rather than reproducing the scenery I am more interested in painting my feelings and connections to whimsy.

Then when I am back home and review my outdoor paintings, I often find the reoccurrence of dragons in the “S” curves that I favor. This whimsy I attribute to my exposure to Asian arts as a child. I lived with my father’s few humble household pieces with dragon motifs. One piece in particular has influenced me. It is an early 20^th century Milles Fleures Vase now on loan to the Jordan Schniter Museum of Art at the University of Oregon.

My latest adventure is in our Winnebago Sightseer Coach March, 2008. On this first long trip my husband and I explored his interest in fishing holes in warm weather around Yuma, Arizona. One of our stops at Mittery Lake we parked our motor coach between reeds so thick that I could not physically penetrate them. I could hear the young birds in their nest and see the fish jumping in their shadow. I was facing the reeds out on a man made fishing access where time had slowed down as I relaxed. Then the roar came from behind - the Air Force helicopter was getting closer and loader. I felt targeted. Then it just hovered over me. I thought it would leave but I counted the seconds on and on. I had to put my brush down and put my hands over my ears. Still the horrible roar, so I turned around and looked up and waved. The helicopter left then only to return an hour later to make a circle - checking out how my painting was coming. The aviators needed to see. Ours is a changing world and it is an important need to get in touch with the earth’s primal dance.

Diane is a cool person and a wonderful artist who paints from heart and cares about the world we live in today and the world that awaits us in the future.

Bets Cole - Peaceful Animation

2008-02-25T16:27:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start this edition of Art for the Soul with a look at Bets Cole's Artists statement I found it informative and inspiring.

"I am an artist because through making art I have found a way to learn, speak, question and record my journey. I draw and paint the time, not just the moment in time. My essential concern and constant struggle is to make visible my strength, energy and passion through the use of form, color and gesture in my work.

Often my images arise from nature or from the subjects that nature provides. I have consciously chosen to live in Oregon, in the country, for it is Oregon’s landscape, atmosphere and color that give me hope, inspire me and bring me calm.

The paper, the media and the process of painting and drawing are as important to me as the subject itself. I use paint (acrylic, gouache and watercolor), pastel and pencil. Each has its own personality and quality of mark, allowing choices and combinations that often challenge and surprise me.

My pieces evolve slowly and I have learned that to succeed, I must be patient and flexible. I continually re-work my surfaces, layer upon layer, which in turn allows the piece to gain depth, a sense of history and a voice of its own." ~ Bets Cole

I also received this wonderful explanation from Bets about Plein air, "painting on site"

A bit about painting on site...

Bets Cole

Plein air painting requires an artist to contend with the difficulties of all the outdoor elements. Subject matter is often dictated by the weather and the seasons. The popularity of painting “en plein air” increased with the development of easily portable painting equipment. In the 1870’s paints packaged in metal tubes were introduced. Previously, each painter made their own paints by grinding and mixing dry pigment powders with linseed oil. The French Box Easel followed. These highly portble easels with telescoping legs and built-in paint box and palette, made treks into the forest and up the hillsides less onerous. Artists continued to develop ways to transport themselves and their supplies to distant and more remote landscapes.

Eventually, this new style of painting made its way across the Atlantic and into the art colony of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Childe Hassam, Willard Metcalf and Matilda Browne were some of the leading American Impressionist artists. The Canadian Group of Seven and California’s Society of Six became legendary. Over time other locations with particular beautiful qualities of light, notably the Pacific Northwest, have became havens for plein air painting.

In the United States today we are seeing a rekindling of interest in painting in the plein air tradition. Painters choose to paint outdoors for many reasons. Many times it is the challenge. Often, it is the delight in listening to the wind while watching the changing light. Many times it is an excuse to be outside; taking the time to observe the natural world. However, the end product (the painting) is not just one moment in time, it is a response to many. It is a record of time, a history of a landscape. ~ Bets Cole

I met Bets Cole at a "Plein Air Art Paintout" on the edge of the Willamette river. She would look up and you could almost see the wheels turning before she put her brush to the piece of art she was creating. I hung around taking pictures and talking to the artists there and as I was leaving Bets told me about a show she was having at the Maude Kerns Art Center the following Friday.

What a treat it was to see her work on display and under proper lighting. There were two of her works I could feel as though they were animated and yet very serene. One was titled "A Walk in the Woods" with soft colors and strongly defined elements was as real as it was a dream of perfection.

The charm in her art is matched by the animated way she talks with people. Her hands never stop moving as she talks and her love of creating sight treasures extends to her smile and conversation. I really enjoyed watching her talk with friends and visitors. Her energy transfers to her art and the other piece (pictured below) I really loved was titled "Pacific Coast Town."

Pacific Coast Town
© Bets Cole

For a real treat I'd suggest visiting the show called Spirited Journey - Women Artists. The show features work of Bets Cole and local artists, Kathleen Caprario, , Annette Gurdjian, Wendy Huhn, and Betsy Wolfston and runs Feb. 22-March 21

Bets works are certainly Art for the Soul.

Bob Keefer - Photography with Style

2008-02-03T12:47:00.001-08:00

"Bob Keefer is a writer, photographer and artist in Creswell, Oregon.
I make hand-colored black and white photographs the traditional way, with film cameras and old-fashioned darkroom prints colored entirely with a brush and paint — no PhotoShop involved."

I love the way Bob can emphasize an aspect of a photograph with this technique. From the tuba in a marching band to the eyes of an owl, browsing through Bob's excellent website is like taking a journey into two worlds at the same time.

One is a world of hand colored tintypes drenched in tradition. Time faded and rich looking images that give me the illusion of the past captured by Louis Daguerre on one of the first cameras then given life through Bob's sharp state of the art skill and sense of understated color.

The other world is one of discovery in seeing parts our world for the first time. There is a wonderful image on his site of a simple crude brick wall declaring a religious festival that takes me back to some of the visits I had to Puerto Vallarta in October and image of the Zabriskie Badlands of Death Valley that takes your breath away.

In an excerpt from his page Bob explains

"I’ve been painting and hand coloring black and white photographs for years, enjoying the artistic tenstion between the cool, machine-like precision of photography and the expressiveness of added color. I work with a variety of colored mediums, sometimes coloring an image only lightly and sometimes nearly painting it completely out, so the original photograph barely shows through."

For a real treat visit Bob's Web Site where you may browse or purchase some of his wonderful art. It is a wonderful thing to see the marriage of photography and painting giving birth to art at it's best.

~*~

Renee Manford

2007-11-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

Peoria Road
©Renee Manford

We all have differing perceptions of the things we experience. You might say our own private realities. An artist creates an object of art and we look and we see and we experience sometimes we relate and other times we just don’t get it. Then there is art that is as gently comfortable in a Déjà vu kind of way. Other times everything comes together from the subject, style and substance and I just stand back on my heels.

The art of Renee Manford, and in particular, the piece pictured here did that for me. “I’ve been there” crossed my mind when I saw this image. The subject was rural America, the style Pierre Auguste Renoir and the substance was the focus on the interdependency of man and land embraced by the sky. I was relieved in reading her Artist’s Statement that I didn’t have to “get it” to some specification because I’m not sure many see what I see. Renee says, “I have no expectations regarding what others should see or feel about my art. I want my art to move others in ways that makes sense to them.”She has worked in oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink and graphite and other art forms like sculpting, weaving and pottery.

She has two upcoming exhibits one of paintings at Emerald Art Center, 500 Main in Springfield, Oregon, December 4th through December 28th. Another show of her prints will be held at Island Park Gallery 215 W. C Street, Springfield, Oregon December 5th through January 24th, 2008.

She says “By honoring the partnership between myself and the medium I am using, life is allowed to present itself.” How true that is and not just in creating art but in how we can lead honorable lives as we thrive in the medium of living.

Thank you Renee.

Renee has her own web site at:
http://www.reneemanford.com

Also visit Renee's blog at:
http://www.manfordrj.wordpress.com/

To get a better look at Renee's work and for more information visit her sites.

Anne Teigen - Gentle Wings

2007-06-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

"Party of One"
©Anne Teigen

Anne Teigen is a Eugene, Oregon artist. Her work here "Party of One" just captured my mind, reminding me of my consulting days in a place other than home and my solitary dinners or lunches. It also has very much the feel of the fine Italian artist Amedeo Clemente Modigliani. Modigliani's work, in turn, was influenced by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Georges Rouault, Pablo Picasso and Paul Cezanne's paintings.

So here is Anne Teigen's work, wonderfully original and as current as life today. She has taken the likes of Modigliani and Cezanne to a new place and time. This is just one of the wonderful works on her website. Click on the image to be transported to her colorful, enriching and creative view of life. A visit there is like a warm summer breeze in a shaded grove of trees.

It isn't often we can find treasures like this hiding in plain sight unless we look around, in this case I'm glad I did. Thank you Anne for the permission to show this intriguing work of art and a link to your page. Another of my favorites is a piece called "Meet Me by the Window."

Art Quote

"What I am seeking is not the real and not the unreal but rather the unconscious, the mystery of the instinctive in the human race." ~ Amedeo Clemente Modigliani

Denton Lund Revisited

2007-04-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Echos of the Old Men
copyright Denton Lund

I am constantly amazed by the amazing work of Denton Lund. Earlier on this blog I shared another work of Denton but I have to admit I visit his page from time to time and the last visit I was struck by the depth of his work as a visionary whose art is truely a reflection of a deeply spiritual soul on fire. He takes us to a place in the past with his "Echos of the Old Ones" to the beginnings of history and our ties to this earth. To the ones who lived with nature and led great American Nations that thrived long before the European arrived. Please visit his website for a wonderful experience and opportunity to place his work in your home.

On a personal note - I have begun a website for my photography starting with some of my images of flowers.

Nicholas Hely Hutchinson

2007-01-11T23:16:00.000-08:00

Nicholas Hely Hutchinson
Winter Storm - Portland Bill
Mixed media 16 x 21 ins

"Nicholas Hely Hutchinson (1955- ) is a painter, influenced initially by Dufy and Matisse, and also drawing on the English NeoRomantic tradition. He settled near Blandford, Dorset, and the countryside of that county and Wiltshire, horse racing, interiors and still life were among his subjects. He studied at St Martin's School of Art and Bristol Polytechnic. Nicholas showed solo with the Montpelier Studio from 1984, later exhibitions including Wattis Fine Art, Hong Kong,from 1992, the Jerram Gallery, Salisbury, 1995, and the Portal Gallery in London. He is represented in the Government Art Collection, Barbican Centre and Unilever, as well as a number of private collections. Hely Hutchinson is the third son of the 8^th Earl of Donoughmore, an old Irish family." ~ Storm Fine Arts Gallery

I found Nicholas Hely Hutchinson nestled snugly in the pages of "Ireland of the Welcomes" a Dublin based magazine. It was at an imaging (X-ray, CAT Scan) lab in Eugene, Oregon. I was impressed with his style and use of muted color. Some images were "fisheye" distorted and others stark, straight-lined and crisp "Shaker" simple. Nicholas struck me as very simply efficient but with a breathtaking flair for flight. This image is a great example of soft rocks and sharp water that appears to me to be blue and white fire. I love his work and it's art for my soul

Adele Aldridge

2006-11-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hexagram one

In the First place
I am like a hidden dragon
and cannot act.
My creative force
is still within.
I am not yet recognized.
I remain true to myself
uninfluenced by failure
or success while I wait
for my own ripe time.

Denton & Sandra Lund sent this image along from Adele Aldridge. Adele has been working on this concept for awhile. Adele said,

"I said there was a story here so will explain a bit. I have been in an on-going process of creating my own interpretation of the I Ching - from a Woman's perspective, of course for years. I began the work over 30 years ago and that makes me cringe to say so."

Well Adele you have done a terrific job with the concept. Without knowing the story behind this image I wrote back to Sandra Lund "There is a tie between nature and beauty expressed there. ". So Adele I think that means you nailed the concept very well.

Adele reminds us all that our minds contain wonderful and unique treasures full of beauty and fantasy and that we should dig deeply to share that treasure with others. I just love this image that expresses so much about the nature of humanity, the strength of the feminine being and the beauty of our world. Thank you Adele for the chance to show your creation.

R.C. Gorman

2006-11-07T22:52:00.001-08:00

La Dona's Visit by R.C. Gorman

My interest in Southwestern Art began in Albuquerque, New Mexico with it's Native American flavor and the rich colors of R.C. Gorman. Gentle lines, simple forms and color beautifully chosen. I've bought a few lithographs and two were by Gorman.

One was a beautifully drawn woman in repose that is very typical of Gorman with rounded lines and peacefully set. The other was atypical of his work at the time called Canyon De Chelly at Night. The canyon is awesomally large behind thesmall figure of a woman. The deep blue and gradient sky is filled with stars that brighten as light is raised slowly on the image.

Famed Navajo artist, Rudolph Carl Gorman, passed away on November 3rd of 2005 in New Mexico.

"Often referred to as the Native American Picasso, by the New York Times, Gorman was known and beloved worldwide for his paintings and sculptures of his favorite subject, outsized women. I revere women. They are my greatest inspiration, he told The Associated Press in a 1998 interview at his studio in Taos.
Gorman was born, in 1931 on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Arizona. His father, Carl Nelson Gorman, was a sculptor and painter. In the late 1950's Gorman went to Mexico where he acquired the influence from Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros and Rufino Tamayo among others.
Over his lifetime, Gorman had more than 20 one man shows; his work was part of the exhibition. Masterworks from the Museum of the American Indian at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he was the only living artist represented. Pop-culture icon Andy Warhol painted a portrait of Gorman in 1979."

If you wish to make a donation in Gorman's honor please send to the R.C. Gorman Scholarship Fund, Dine College, P.O. Box 127, Tsaile, AZ 86556

Next Artist(s) who was mentioned in thisblog is mentioned here is Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo.

William Adolphe Bouguereau - Clarity of Mind

2006-10-15T23:04:00.000-07:00

Something I always wanted to do is become a like of sorts to walk a path with many forks to see where it leads. I am going to do that with this blog and get suggestions from each artist (living that is) on another artist who inspires them. This suggestion came from Noelle Dass a wonderfully talented artist featured a couple of previous posts ago. Go back and (re)visit that post and visit her web site for more information.

William Adolphe Bouguereau was born in La Rochelle, France

A student at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he won the Prix de Rome in 1850 and his realistic genre paintings and mythological themes were exhibited at the annual exhibitions of the Paris Salon for his entire working life. Although he fell into disregard in the early 20th century, due perhaps to his staunch opposition to the Impressionists, there is a new appreciation for his work. In his lifetime, Bouguereau painted eight hundred and twenty-six paintings.~ Wikipedia

Jeune Bergère

I found his art a few years ago was immediately drawn to search the web for more. Bouguereau's paintings does something to me that was hard to describe at the time. After some introspection and intraspection and just plain inspection I think it's becoming better defined. I'll try but I'm not sure my explanation will be complete.

I just reviewed some images and chose the one above because it's one I've not seen before. This image is a pretty good example of what I like about Bouguereau. Clarity of the image and the detail stands out much like a Rockwell and that's the first impression. Then I see color very subtle and not at all garish but it is very distinct and shaded perfectly and the hues always seem to be perfect compliments. Dimension(s), Depth and Detail gives the image a life as if I were meeting Jeune Jeune Bergère on a road along the French Coast. There is another aspect of Bouguereau I can relate to because I'm a dreamer. As realistic and alive the image is and even in this pastoral setting it is above all a dreamers view of beauty.

Evening Mood

There is something about reality invading dreams and expressed so beautifully that makes this artist very special. Today he is being rediscovered thanks to the internet. Lovely works that are part fantasy and part human aspiration never are out of style.

2006-09-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

I joined Technorati and here is my Technorati Profile

Paul Viel - Unusual Dreams

2006-09-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauty
Photo Manipulation

Every now and then I try my hand at art. It's never the steady hand of an Escher or the mysticism of Denton Lund or Rassouli, never as creatively unique as Noelle Dass yet it is my own. I have no style that is consistent. This image is an overlay of a photo I took along the Oregon shoreline overlaid with an image of a sleeping woman. The idea for the overlay came from the form of the cape jutting into the Pacific Ocean. I don't claim to be a professional artist but I love art and even some of my own art and the creation process inspires me to keep trying.

So what is it we try to do when we create a piece of art, a dance, a verse or sonnet. The problem with trying to define art is that it's personal to the artist. It's truth and the more unvarnished the truth the the sweeter the taste of the art. I sometimes try to understand why we dance, paint, write or simply create anything. I always fail to fully understand even myself. I do know deeper the honesty the deeper I am touched. I'm not talking the false honesty of sensationalism created prove one's own hipness or morose depression with life. Life is a balance of good/evil, prosperity/poverty, elation/sorrow but through it all there is a richness in our ability to adapt. Our dreams, thoughts, aspirations, actions will always be our own; so too our creativity reflects our spirit.

DaVinci, Waterhouse, Picasso, Rembrandt, Dali are just a few of those who passed on their gifts. Many will never see an exhibit of Van Gogh or Matisse but in their lives images, words, music and dance and more creative venues will shape the world we live in and the future of our souls. So I try but like many others who create I'll not be satisfied until a bit of me is passed on to even one person because in that passing I live beyond my life and touched another soul in a place where honesty is complete.

This blog will continue to grow as I revisit artists that have touched my mind. This all reminds me of a creation of Leonard Cohen (one of my favorite writers/singers) I think it's this excerpt from his song Suzanne that still rattles in my brain that tell me to keep trying to write, create and live.

Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.

Noelle Dass, Whimsy and Peter Pan

2006-09-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

Dog and the Monkey

Sometimes, when I least expect it, a day comes along where the tiedye tees glow and the veggies all seem fresh and clean. That would be the Saturday market in Eugene Oregon. Food and artists and crafts people gather together to literally blow my mind. The last visit to the Saturday Market some art caught my eye and I just loved it. Maybe the bright colors or the simplicity that conveys without words messages more complex than they first appear. Whole stories filled my mind of the hapless monkey that dropped it's banana or the dog chasing a ball in the hot sun. I did talk to the artist for a moment in an instant of mindlessness and said the art would be great in a childs room. She reminded me many adults purchased her art for themselves. I felt old like Peter Pan before he found his youth again in the movie "Hook." Sometime later at the 5th street market (not to be confused with the Saturday Market) I passed a gallery that featured Noelle's creations a style she calls "Artimals" and purchased the dog in the hot sun for myself and a bovine eclypse for my ADULT son. He loved it. Well I contacted Noelle and she gave me permission to share these two pieces with you in my blog. If there were more Noelle's around moving from New York to Oregon I'm sure the world would be too busy enjoying life to ever totally give up their youth. You can visit her web page at http://www.noelledass.com/ Don't miss the wonderful watercolors also exhibited on her site Be sure to tell her Peter Pan said hello and buy something for yourself.

Thank you Noelle

Denton Lund - Inspired Creator

2006-08-14T00:16:00.000-07:00

Denton Lund's web page :

"Cambria" by Denton Lund

"I am continuously striving to stretch beyond my limitations and parameters in the process I use, in the themes I select, in the subjects I render, and in the colors I express in my paintings. Each act of painting, as it becomes more spontaneous, also becomes a satisfying journey of delight and discovery. Through my paintings, I seek to establish a connection with those who view my work so that they may also share in the journey. The paintings, themselves, form the bond between the artist and those who would view them."

I have viewed his art for years on the web. I've never been a collector of art because of the cost. If I were a collector this is an artist I would fill a room with for several reasons. He says that he seeks to establish a connection through his paintings through those who view them. He and his wife do more than that. His wonderfully creative and mostly southwestern and Native American art grabbed me in a mental embrace. I look and see vivid colors vibrant themes and mystical beauty. I once wrote and asked Denton permission to use his art on my first web page. Not only did I get an immediate positive response from his wife and I'm sure his inspiration but they also put a link on their web page back to mine. They send a greeting on holidays. The thing that struck me about the Lunds is that they work with a passion to give others life and inspiration. While it is a living to be a professional artist, this artist will always, in my mind, be one who gives his dreams to others so they can grow and see beauty of that mystical movement we call art.

John William Waterhouse

2006-07-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

The Lady of Shalott, 1888 John William Waterhouse

Quote from http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/

"John William Waterhouse (1849-1917), affectionately known as Nino in his younger days, was born in Rome on the 6th of April, 1849. Both of his parents were English painters who moved to Italy in pursuit of art. Waterhouse and his parents eventually moved back to England some time in the late 1850's. While growing up, Waterhouse assisted his father in art studio where the young Waterhouse developed his talents for sculpting and painting. In England, after several attempts at admission to the Royal Academy, he finally succeeded entrance in 1870. In 1885, Waterhouse became an Associate of the Royal Academy, and then a full member, Royal Academician, in 1895.
Although often classified as a Pre-raphaelite for his style and themes, Waterhouse is truly a Neo-Classic painter. Some of Waterhouse's earlier works were focused on Italian themes and scenery, reflecting his love for his birth place. Later on, his works picked up the styles and classical themes of Pre-raphaelites such as Alma-Tadema and Frederick Leighton. Waterhouse went on to paint well over 200 paintings depicting classical mythogolgy, historical and literary subjects, particularly those of Roman mythology and classic English poets such as Keats and Tennyson. Femme fatale is a common theme in his works, as most are of beautiful elegaic women and of many men are victims.

Waterhouse is one of the rare artists who became popular and relatively well-off financially when he was alive. He continued to paint until his death on the 10th of February, 1917 after a long illness. His style became a major influence on many of the later Pre-raphaelites including Frank Dicksee and Herber James Draper.

Today, many of his works are in private collections or somewhere unknown; however, most of his famous paintings can be found scattered all over England. Among these is "The Lady of Shalott" - 1888, which can be found in London; "Hylas and the Nymphs" - 1896, at Manchester City Art Gallery, and "Echo and Narcissus" - 18xx, at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. His other famous works can be found around the world including Germany (La Belle Dame Sans Merci), Scotland (Penelope and the Suitors), and Australia (Circe Invidiosa)."

Waterhouse was a wonderful artist worth a look at a man who made legends become beautiful images.

Elaine Viel and Peter Viel - Art is not always on paper

2006-06-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

There are many kinds of artistic images not just paintings. Christo and Jeanne-Claude and others like this award winning piece by a Virginia artist are always intriguing to me. I have an imagination that keeps me thinking and relating images to events and images in my personal history.

This one I titled "Tears of the Sun" not after the Bruce Willis movie it was just the image the art drew out of me. Could be I'd heard the movie title and it was tucked back in my mind. At any rate I hope you get the idea. Art is maybe best characterized by the Masks of Comedy and Tragedy of the theater. Another art is music. Today various arts intermix and meet in many ways. Rock Opera started

From Wikipedia ~ "The earliest example of a theatrical production that incorporated rock and pop music was Hair, a hippie-themed musical subtitled "The American Love/Rock Musical" that made its debut in late 1967. Much like Jesus Christ Superstar, the first notable rock musical after Hair, it was very controversial in its day. Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice was first recorded as a concept album in 1970 and the money made from album sales was used to fund the subsequent stage production in late 1971. The musical Godspell which was written after Jesus Christ Superstar but was actually staged before it, had similar religious themes (albeit much less controversial) and pop/rock influences. "

and

"The Who returned with Tommy, the first album explicitly billed as a rock opera. Tommy remains one of the most famous rock operas, with concert, film and theatrical productions mounted over the course of three decades. The Who would later release another rock opera, Quadrophenia, also made into a film.

Townshend may also be the originator of the term itself. In 1966, he played a comedy tape to his friends called "Gratis Amatis". One of his friends made the comment that the odd song was "rock opera." Kit Lambert, the Who's producer, is than believed to have said "Now there's an idea!" However, the July 4, 1966 edition of "RPM Magazine (published in Toronto) notes that "Bruce Cockburn and Mr [William] Hawkins are working on a Rock Opera, operating on the premise that to write you need only 'something to say'."

Ten years later, Pink Floyd enjoyed similar success with their rock opera The Wall, written primarily by Roger Waters, which became the third best-selling album of all time. As with Tommy, The Wall has been staged both by Pink Floyd (1980-81) and Waters (1990) as an incredibly elaborate concert, with Waters' version taking place at the Berlin Wall. The plot was also used in an eponymous feature film, and Waters is currently adapting the story for a Broadway-style production."

Point is art is many disciplines rolled into an umbrella. Art, it may be said, is the enlightenment of the mind where muses create , dance, sing and make clear images and we may all be amused in the more complex sense of the word. Everything good is found in truth and reality and it is always a mixture of comedy and tragedy and never the absence of either.

Rassouli

2006-06-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Freydon Rassouli has been one of my favorite artists for a long time. Mystical art at it's best by a true visionary.

He was raised in a historical home decorated with murals and intricate floral designs. Inspired and encouraged by his mystic uncle, Rassouli developed an early appreciation for painting and mystical poetry, and spent endless hours taking lessons from classical and impressionist artists, and studying mysticism. Soon he discovered new ways to transform his subconscious images into forms that he could share with others. Recognized as the Best Student Artist in Iran at 15, Rassouli was awarded a government grant to study painting in Europe. He migrated to the United States in 1963, where he studied painting and architecture at the University of New Mexico, and was honored with the Leadership Award from the Institute of International Education though he began his professional career as an architect, creating three-dimensional structures to satisfy his artistic drive, Rassouli's passion for painting persevered. Through time, he has created hundreds of artworks that have received global recognition for his unique Fusionart style

This piece of work is called "Celestial Song"

Emily Lindsay - The Mind's Eye

2006-05-22T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Mind's Eye

I love this bird
I'm not sure why
To watch it live
To see it fly
Feather, thistle, hill and scrawl
It warms my mind
To see it all
Drawn from a wildly fertile mind
By tender hands upon a wall
True creation
Hear the call

I watched Pleasantville again today and enjoyed the depiction of a colorless world being transformed to vivid color. A wonderful movie to watch and to listen once more to another wonderful Lennon/McCartney lyric.

Across The Universe
(Lennon and McCartney)

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
That call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
million suns, it calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Jai guru de va, jai guru de va
Jai guru de va, jai guru de va
Jai guru de va.

I looked for the meaning of "Jai guru de va" and came up with this explaination.

"The line "jai guru deva om" is a mantra of John's designed to help him concentrate while meditating, something he was into at the time. It means roughly "Glory to the spiritual master" and has the focusing sound "omm" at the end. (Translation varies according to particular level of Sanskrit used for divination.)"

Vincent van Gogh - Cafe Terrace

2006-04-20T00:57:00.000-07:00

Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night

Vincent van Gogh's The Cafe Terrace stands as one of the painter's most remarkable works. It is also, without question, one of the most famous produced in Van Gogh's brief but prolific career.

Cafe is the first in a trilogy of paintings which feature starlit skies. Starry Night Over the Rhone came within a month, followed by the popular Starry Night painted the next year in Saint-Ramy.

For me this painting is what art is about - touching souls. I used to say "I just don't get it. What's so special about a painting?" Later I found Escher fascinating, Picasso weird, Rembrandt crisp, Michelangelo mystical,O'Keeffe sensual, etc.

Then I see Sargent's Ambergris and in it's simplicity it tells a story. They all can come alive and we begin to realize that art is the release of our souls and can only really be seen when we cut through the numbing existence in which all of us humans reside.

Art is a trip just like the drugs some take or the adrenaline rush of an athlete. It's the escape of a movie or novel or the RV trip across the states. It's the submission to confession I took as a young man feeling free of sin. It's winning the superbowl.

Do you ever wonder why we all try so hard to escape our very average lives and the repetition? Why do we fall back so easily into the rut we travel very much like a worn path used by a herd of cattle?

My most current wonder is to ask how does the large body of fine art that is so diverse touch souls and bring them to life or cause them to dream of worlds unknown - or worlds that should be.

Touching Souls

As the wind whispers through the leaves
I hear a melody as sweet as a symphony
It's the voice of tenderness
From an open soul
It's never as it seems
It's the sound of two souls touching