Studio Notes: My New Painting Cart

This is a great new find for any studio. Stainless steel, lots of space and sturdy wheels.

I move around my studio quite a bit when I'm working, and I usually have more than one painting at a time in process. I prefer studio furniture with wheels, this allows for a lot of flexibility in my work space. The above painting table has been with me for about 10 years and has served well, but it has become quite wobbly from rolling around on the uneven 90 year old floors in my studio. I found a replacement at IKEA. I love the new stainless steel "kitchen cart" the large wheels and workspace is just what I needed. I need functional. I think commercial kitchens have the best furniture for artists, there's no fluff, just solid hard working furniture.

While I'm working I utilize at least 3 wheeled painting tables at a time and 4 easels. All of the carts in my studio are steel and have at least three shelves. I sometimes work with 2-3 palettes and can use up to 20 brushes in one day. I like my easels too, they are wood, easy to move around and have wheels of course. My system may not work for someone else, but after many years of committed studio work I've found this to be the best system for me for now.

Busy Weeks of Art

This is the "Next Wave Artist Salon" in Elgin, I'm glad I was a part of it. The experience was energizing and I met some wonderful people. This is an event I will continue to support!
This is my daughter Michelle posing in front of her portrait I painted from a pic I took of her seated in the window of our hotel in London several years ago. Next to that is my self portrait in my studio painted from life. I have a ton of pics from my travels around the world, one of these days I'll start creating new ways to depict this side of my life in paint. Until then I'll just keep painting.

The past two weeks have been so busy that I'm glad to have a Saturday to rest and recharge. There have been art receptions, all day life drawing at Palette and Chisel in Chicago with Pat and Jackie, life drawing with Valley Art Club, evening parties for an old friend visiting from out of town, driving to Chicago for delivery of artwork to the National Veterans Art Museum for shipment to a show in Beaufort, S. C., and then the next day delivering the shipping crate for the 4' x 6' painting, delivery of artwork (shown above) for a weekend show in Elgin the "Next Wave Artist Salon with a Friday and Saturday reception to attend, then pick-up on the artwork on Sunday, dinner with the Chairman and the Director of the Veterans Assistance Commission and then a presentation of my "Portrait of American Veterans Project" to the Woodstock VFW, and with all of that 3 doctor appointments and 35 hours of painting time in my studio each week.
WHEW! Now I'll come up for air and take a nap.

Workshop for Contemporary Artists 26th Annual Exhibit

The 26th Annual Workshop for Contemporary Artists Exhibit was held last night a the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock, IL. The OCAC has four galleries so there were artists from the Real People Show, Claymirth, and Old Courthouse Figurative Art League with their friends and followers at the reception. This made for one of the best art openings that I have had the pleasure to be a part of. I tried to take pictures, but as with all art shows where I am one of the exhibitors, I would rather talk to visitors and share my art than take pictures of the crowd. So here are a few quick snapshots from the evening reception that was attended by a standing room only crowd.

The members of WCA are myself, Judith Nahill, Nancy Seidler, Lynn Carlson, Patricia Tanner, Alice White, Doris Davis-Gallagher and Rita Kay Halvorsen. Patricia Tanner and I have been members of this dynamic and incredible artist group for 14 years. The other members have been showing their art together for more than 26 years. I love the ladies and our group, they have encouraged me to grow as an artist through their unwavering support.

The Importance of Supporting Fellow Artists

Veronica, Jackie and Jeanine (me) at Pat Brutchin's artist reception on August 6 in the Dole Gallery at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake.

Here we are, three friends and fellow artists attending the artist's reception for Pat's first Solo Exhibit. Pat couldn't be there due to a teaching commitments, so we decided that we would be a welcoming committee for Pat in her absence. There was live music and good food and a number of art lovers in attendance. We had a very enjoyable time and felt good that we could be there for our friend.

I make every effort to attend art receptions for all of the artists I know in the Chicago area. I think it's really important that we support one another and show sincere appreciation for the creative and professional accomplishments of others. I am always pleased to see other artists attending my receptions. Taking the time to attend receptions of other artists I think it builds a stronger artist community. There is a time for being alone to do the soul searching, and roll-up your sleeves work of the artist, and there is the time for enjoying the fruits of our labor. The support of peers in the artist community has always kept the arts alive, and in these tough times we artists need all the support we can get.

So please attend all artists' receptions you can, you could be a spark that keeps the flame of artistic expression burning!

Challenges Beyond the Portrait

This is Bill, he is a friend an artist, and a Vietnam Veteran. Bill visited my studio recently to share with me his stories, his drawings, and to pose for his portrait. Bill has a strong presence, a square jaw and wounded warrior eyes. During the course of my painting process I feel that I am taken to a place beyond the traditional portrait. Or I should say, I feel a responsibility to the individual to honor their spirit, as well as their image. This for me is a huge challenge. I want to represent the person in a profoundly honest way, to move into a place where the camera and "photo realism" is left behind. I am honored to take on this challenge, so that every day I focus on taking my work beyond that which I have done before. Hard work, by all means, and I love every minute of it.

"Art has to reveal to us ideas, formless spiritual essences. The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring. The painting of Gustave Moreau is the painting of ideas. The deepest poetry of Shelley, the words of Hamlet bring our mind into contact with the eternal wisdom, Plato's world of ideas. All the rest is speculation of schoolboys for schoolboys."
James Joyce "Ulysses"

Fabulously Focused reception at Tall Grass Arts Association

This past Friday I attended the "Fabulously Focused" Gallery Artists Exhibition at the Tall Grass Artists Association Gallery in Park Forest, IL. This was a true delight visiting the gallery for the first time after delivering my work for the show. The space is huge and the show was beautiful with work in many media. My Mom was able to attend with me, since she's visiting from Florida for a few weeks. All of the artists were friendly and talked about their work, sharing their ideas and happy to welcome new artists to the gallery. There were nice light snack and wine. I look forward to future show and activities at this upscale and friendly gallery. The exhibit runs through September 19 so please stop by and see the works and visit the adjouning gift shop.
Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery is located at 367 Artists Walk in Forest Park IL. www.tallgrassarts.org

"Battle Dress a Woman's View" Reception May 29 at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago

Leanna Henson Linn from MO, Laura Sellinger from FL, and Alyssa Savva from NY talking to a visitor.

Donna Perdue form IN and on the right Kristy L Herman from TX. My painting is in the photo on bottom.

The exhibit "Battle Dress a Woman's View' is designed to enlighten the public community to the complex views of women who serve in the United States Military.
This ground breaking exhibit was the brain child of Iraqi war veteran and artist Laura Sellinger.

Laura was given a camera by Kimo Williams of the Lt. Dan Band, and instructed to show the world her views. This is a personal project funded by the Independence Fund that has the potential to grow into an annual exhibit. Proceeds will go back to he Independence Fund to help other wounded veterans in need.

The exhibit that is now on view at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago through August 2010. After the Chicago exhibit "Battle Dress" will

move to the Charles Street Gallery in Beaufort, South Carolina, the home of Paris Island Marine Corps Training Center, and location for the filming of "Forrest Gump". The opening reception will be held on October 2. During the weekend reception severly disabled veterans from across the U. S. will ride in the Lt. Dan Ride culminating with a performance by Gary Senice and the Lt. Dan Band. This will be a weekend to remember and you can bet I will be there. I am so honored and humbled that my work has been chosen to exhibit with that of women veterans. Thank you.