Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Art Sales


I sold a painting! High Plains Aerial #3 is now in the collection of newlyweds Beau & Mandi. It's one of my favorites. Now I'll get busy and do another aerial landscape to hang with #1 and #2. They look so much better as a tryptich! Beau actually grew up near where the photo for this painting was taken. I am thrilled to have them enjoy it.

It's been a busy month with graduation of number two child. Number one got engaged to a fabulous man. Number three is on his way to Africa with his Dad for a 10 day safari hunt. I am left to babysit the dog! Hopefully she will let me paint a bit too. Happy Summer!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Before and After


Updating inventory, I came across this before picture (on the left) of the Ancient Sunflower painting (finished work in right photo). I wish I had taken a photo of it even before this. It started as an aerial view of circle irrigation...fields and roads, but something wasn't working for me. This painting has a lot of texture, with plaster built up on masonite. The top right sprinkler became a sunflower and still has lots of that texture surrounding it. Rice papers, and painted orange tissue papers were added, as well as many layers of acrylic "stain" (painted on, and wiped off). I thought you would enjoy seeing a little of how my works evolve. I like this painting more each day...it seems to glow, and that makes me smile!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Susan Hart's Walkway Gallery Show


Was it already two weeks ago that I went to Kearney for Susan Hart's reception? It was a great day...guess I need to slow down, so I can reflect and share what is important. I know Susan from art camp at Halsey. The Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (ANAC) organizes an amazing painting fest every September at the state 4-H camp in the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. Susan has been very successful in the last few years with her wonderful collages, mostly with painted tissues, using a lot of quinacridone gold, turquoisish colors, and her signature swirl motif. She has 22 paintings in a one-woman show currently in the Walkway Gallery of Kearney's Good Samaritan Hospital. One is shown on the left. (With permission from Sue Hart.) The reception was so nice--Lorie Line music was played live, the staff had even created very tasty cookies painted with frosting to match the artwork! My trip was so worth the effort. Not only because of getting to see Susan and her great art, but I ran into my UNK art professor, Larry Peterson, who told me about the third Thursday lecture at MONA which was happening later that night, and the Kearney Art Guild opening reception for their juried ANAC competition entries on display at Elements. I was able to take in all three events. I also met John Allen, CEO of the Kearney hospital, whose insightful photography graces the walls of that facility. Seeing his art helps explain why the hospital is so supportive and believes in the healing qualities of art. There are definitely some fine artistic spirits in Kearney. I am inspired.