I hope you’re coming out to the dry media show I’m hosting in December. You can read more in the Events postings of this blog.
I wanted to talk about dry media. Dry media is the classic art media. It is elementary and pure. Most of us begin our art practice with dry media. Graphite, crayon and colored pencils were my first art tools. They are simple to use and allow experimentation with different techniques. The stroke and pressure provide variations of tone. You can work with the texture of your paper or not. You can mix the media or keep it pure.
Many artists begin their work with a dry media sketch. The simplicity and ease of packaging and use make them versatile and easy to travel with. Other mediums can be added to dry media and alter the effect. Some artists incorporate dry media in their wet media projects too. The possibilities are endless yet dry media remains a pure and classic work tool for many artists. It allows the development of light and shadow to give dimension to the image. It can be applied in unicolor or a mix of light and dark tones, or even in multi-colored options.
In the upcoming show my guest artists will exhibit works in pure dry media application. They have mastered or are experimenting with a technique and apply it to create images on paper or board. These images are representational, creating a realistic image we will recognize as true; abstract, creating a derived image that is independent of our normal reference; and impressionist, representing their subject with bright color strokes and light to create the image.
Until next time,
LA
Dry, Shaken & Stirred, A varied art mix in dry media, is the show I’ll be hosting at my studio on December 13, 2008. The show will feature guest artists: Elizabeth Cencini, with works in pastel; Suzanne Lienhart, with works in colored pencil; Cam Lu, with works in French Conte; David Pierce, with works in charcoal; and Cathy Ward, CPSA, with works in colored pencil. Some of my pieces in colored pencil will also be part of the show.
What is dry media? Dry media is just that, not wet paint. No solvents, no water or other wet mediums are used to create these pieces of art. It is pure dry media. Besides pastel, conte, colored pencil and charcoal, dry media also includes graphite. The work on display includes three different art styles: representational, abstract and impressionist.
Come and hear the artists explain their techniques and creative motivation leading to the development of these pure pieces of art. Let these dry medium works shake and stir you, just in time for the holidays.
When: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: 4848 Guiton, Studio 201, Houston, Texas (off Richmond at 610, inside the Loop)
The new studio opening was fantastic! We were all tired at the end of the day but very excited to see our friends and invitees come to our first Art Crawl. I was very glad to see my friends and meet new people who appreciate art and came out to see what we had on our walls. That was quite a bit of art!
My fellow artist partners and I at the Guiton Artists Studios are already planning our 2009 calendar and will share those event dates so you can mark your calendar early. I am very glad to be a part of this group. I have admired the work of these artists over the years and am now glad to be one of group. The idea to join came as I searched for a group of classically trained representational and impressionist artists where I could find a home for my work. This group is awesome. I have known them for years and now we have come together to let the community know about classical art.
The evening began with a bottle of champaign in Jerrie’s studio. As visitors flocked from studio to studio, we were all thrilled to show our work, tell people about it, and just see people enjoy it. I will be telling you more about each of the artists in the group so stay tuned.
I am also planning individual and invitational exhibitions. I will tell you more about them as they get formalized. For now, you can visit my studio by appointment or by letting me know you want to be on my invitiation list. I will send you an invitation to these special showings and future Art Crawls. Portrait client appointments will be scheduled at the new studio as well.
I’m very excited to be opening up a new studio at the West Loop building near the Galleria. The studio will be open by invitation or appointment only. So sign up to receive invitations for upcoming events. (see Events for more information on the studio)
I am joining the Guiton Artists. My new studio will open Saturday, November 8, 2008, from 2:00-8:00pm. The studio is located at 4848 Guiton, Studio 201. Studio hours are by invitation or by appointment only.
The Guiton Artists studios are in the Galleria area, on the northeast corner of the Richmond & 610 Loop intersection. Enter off of Richmond on Guiton (pronounced Guy-ton).
The West Loop building houses various classically trained artists working in representational, impressionist, and expressionist art. There will be an Art Crawl with an open house of the artists’ studios so come and visit! You are invited to stop by. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists and talk directly with them about their work.
Seems like Sunday just gets here so fast. Despite walking around with a brace supporting my ankle since Friday, I did pretty good for the weekend. I picked up my frames and delivered the artwork for the HCAA Greater Houston Open where I assisted judge, Peggy Kingsbury, and enjoyed the compy of fellow judge assistants and other volunteers. No ribbons for me this year but several of my friends had their work recognized like (see if I remember) Richard Varela, William Kalwick, Bruce Williamson, Ann Armstrong, Lienchen Lien, Willy Wong…I found some new favorites.
I got to visit my friends Macario Ramirez and Chrissie Dickerson at Casa Ramirez, and met up with Lizbeth Ortiz and Julie Zarate. It was nice to meet Eva and enjoy the Mexican ambiance and Dia de Los Muertos alter set up by Macario for his presentations.
After a nice sea food gumbo at Mardis Gras, I saw an old Avalon movie and snoozed off till morning. After a nice walk in the crisp morning of early fall I finished prepping some prints and am now working on a commission to illustrate the Christmas card for my SocSci buds at Rice University once again this year. If I get lucky with my time, I may even squeeze more work on my new southwest series.
I still have things to put back into the studio since the hurricane, which reminds me of the new bumper sticker I designed for my car window stating “I am Joe the plumber”. I already outsource some services and want to hire help to do all the logistical side of the business so I can focus on the creative but will I be able to do that? Will I be able to grow at the rate I want and my creativity and hard work allows? Doing my own research like Joe himself recommends.
For now, I must get back to work. Although with a nose to the grind stone you can’t see what’s coming sometimes. And one thing I’ve learned is that philosophy is good for the spirit but hard won experience pays the bills.
McAllen is a great south Texas town. I had a great visit thanks to Nancy, Annabell, Matt and Ernie of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. I had the great pleasure to be their keynote speaker for the first Green Living Festival. The turnout was tremendous and I wish them the best as they embark on this sustainability journey. I had the opportunity to visit Quinta Mazatlan, a great place to go birding and enjoy Spanish style architecture with a Texas twist. McAllen’s support for the arts is impressive. They have a growing number of music, film, fashion, and art festivals throughout the year. The history is very interesting and surprising with an impressive collection of artifacts and displays at the the Museum of South Texas History just around the corner in Edinburg. The best food and ambiance? Espana!
The Houston Civic Arts Association (HCAA) Greater Houston Open Show is Saturday, October 18. The show opens to the public from 12 Noon to 5pm. HCAA is located at 5202 Bissonnet, in the Bellaire Triangle.
Today I went looking for new studio space. A couple of posibilities are in the works. After the hurricane I took the opportunity to reorganize my studio at home. I cleared out a lot and retired some old material. Nothing like a clean work space.
I entered my first competition in a while. My goal was to take specific classes and work on production this year. I also managed to participate in several exhibitions along the way, and here I am and it’s October already.
I’m doing some presentations in the valley so I won’t be able to get back to the easel until Saturday afternoon. I have several canvases waiting for me. I want to get back to work on the new Southwest series. I’m enjoying it. It reminds me of growing up at the ranch with my grandparents, the jersey cows and many adventures while the adults worked.
Finishing a piece is always exciting. Even more exciting to deliver it so I had a high time delivering my submission for the Day of the Dead exhbition. The annual gala is always fun and I get to see several friends too. I’m exicted about this year’s piece–as if a parent could prefer one child over another–it was inspired by my last visit to the pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla. We’ll see how it does at the auction.
Gala and Silent Auction for Lawndale Art Center’s 21st Annual Dia de Los Muertos. 4912 Main Street, from 7-9pm. View this year’s retablo submission to this fun fundraiser. Be the top bidder to add it to your collection. The exhibition continues through November 8.
An artist reception for a new exhibition of various artworks at Gallery E at Studio E. Come to 4100 Westheimer, between 6-8pm, on Friday, October 24. The 19 works on display are from the Nature, Tuscan, Mexico, Nudes, and Portrait series. Free event.
This is the first blog.