The artist’s blog now resides at http://lilibethandre.wordpress.com/
Follow the link to find current postings.
Follow me at my new blog: http://lilibethandre.wordpress.com/
I look forward to find you there.
Lilibeth
For December I’ll be participating in the “Artists Among Us” exhibition on Thursday, December 3, 2009.
More information as it becomes available.
With November comes the 2009 Via Colori event for this year on the 21st and 22nd. I hope the weather is dry and mild. Painting on the street is a very physical activity. It is fun to work among over 120 other artists who are painting a space of street of their own. This year I’ll be painting another 6 x 6 foot square with a classical piece I hope you recognize.
In this picture I am beginning to block in my image. In the square behind me you can see the grid they used to transfer their sketch. My chalk lines weren’t working well for me because I was doing all the prep myself and you actually need two people to hold and drop the lines so I free-handed a lot of the outline.
Some squares are painted by groups or pairs of artists and teachers and their students. Some artists even have helpers. Two of my friends said they’d come and help. Either way, I am training to get in shape for this grueling project. I prefer to get the painting done on Saturday so you’ll see me very focused on my work that day. On Sunday I just do final touch ups to freshen the color as we cover the work with plastic on Saturday night. It’s a great festival with music, food and many square feet of temporary art that gets hosed down at the end of the day on Sunday.
Via Colori is in downtown Houston, at Bagby and Allen Parkway, all day Saturday and Sunday.
Come to visit: Via Colori
See some of my past artwork for Via Colori 2007 and 2008.
Did I mention my portrait of Mayor Cindy Siegel of Bellaire was accepted into the Richeson School of Art & Gallery Figure/Portrait 2009 Exhibition book? I’m very anxious to receive my copy. I haven’t heard from them but I hope it arrives soon.
I curated an exhibition and competition for a water theme art component to a sustainability conference held in October at Rice University. The people’s choice award winners represented representational, expressive and abstract styles. All sixteen selected artists who participated entered artwork to represent how water can have human impact. The show lasted through the month of October.
The Elder Street Gallery had a Connections exhibition featuring postcard art from all over the world. I entered to pieces inspired by my Tuscan series of acrylic works.
The Angel Store is a show that runs through the holidays to raise awareness and funds for Justice for Children. For this show I painted “El Querubin” based on a photo I had of one of my nieces.
The first anniversary at my studio was jointly celebrated with our second art crawl with 12 artists in my building opening up their studios to feature their most current work. This started out slowly, until shortly after the football game was over and the usual crowds unleashed. I’ll be posting some photos of my studio soon.
The weekend was full of friends. I stopped by Elder Street Gallery to see the work of many of my friends. I got to see Alberto Godoy, Jonatan Lopez, Lacey Crawford, Sue Donaldson, Lorena Fernandez, Sorange Castillo, Shelley Shanks, Susan Goettsche, Alissa Fereday, and Martin de Vore, among many others. The artwork was wonderful, and the ambiance was a typical Houston summer evening at Elder Street, thanks to Terrence Boggs.
From there I headed out to the Frida Kahlo Gala for an evening of art, poetry, dance and Frida. There I saw Julie Zarate, Lizbeth Ortiz, Stephanie Guajardo, and Mitch Cohen, who also attended Elder Street. It was a very full event with food and drink to boot.
Where do you want to be on a warm July evening? Betz Art Gallery to see Arte Caliente!
Arte Caliente is a group exhibition featuring work by 20 Texas Hispanic artist.(I’ll post a sneak peak of my displayed works on my Website soon). Come and see the work of my friends Julie Zarate, Lorena Fernandez, Sorange Castillo, Lynet Fernandez and many more.
Come and enjoy hot art, music and a live performance by Danza Azteca!
July 18, 2009, from 6-9pm.
Betz Art Gallery
1208 W. Gray
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 576-6954
http://www.betzgallery.com/
Free valet parking available.
catering by:
El Tiempo Restaurant
margaritas by:
Tequila El Gran Jubileo
In looking at what it takes to be an artist I have to tell you that yes, there is a certain amount of talent that is needed. It takes more than putting color on a support to create art. A certain degree of predisposition must be present to be artistic, even without training. But art is also a skill and like any skill, practice makes perfect. Or it brings you closer to it every time. Saying this I am telling you that with the right training you could become an artist yourself.
How long does it take? You have to realize that most artists may be born with certain skill level already in their DNA. That is a head start. Then there is the training that teaches you the technical nuances of art and what it takes to create art but the most important part of becoming an artist is practice. In order for art to become fluid and effortless, the artist must have many miles of drawing and burshwork under their belt.
Why is practice important? It lets you master your tools. It allows you to gain confidence and trust in your stroke. The line of communication between your head and your hand will be direct and effective. Your movement will be efficient and you will produce consistent and high quality work.
Look at the masters. Any master. Michaelangelo Buonarroti studied even in his advanced age to find satisfaction in his creations. Leonardo da Vinci had collections of drawings where he began his masterpieces and inventions. These masters put in countless hours of study and practice towards reaching their acquired level of mastery. And they didn’t stop there. Their life was an ongoing effort of study and practice to continue to reach a higher level of expertise each and every day.
As part of my practice I like to draw. I apply my technical training and strive to keep up the skill level to continue to produce work at no less than what I have done in the past and better each and everytime. As I learn more with the compounded time and practice I am able to see the result when I produce new work.
Recently I completed a portrait drawing of a toddler. Besides making a connection with the subject, I enjoy working with young models to gain their trust and learn their features in the brief pauses of movement. I am also working on the portrait of a young lady. We had fun finding a pose of her liking and that activity allowed me to get to know her better.
As the figure begins to materialize on the paper, I enjoy remembering the time we spent together and what I liked about them. I strive to bring that essence out and into the portrait drawing, or painting if that is the case.
Remember that samples of my most current works are posted on my Website: http://www.lilibethandre.com/
Actually, summer has arrived in Houston. My favorite part of summer is having longer days. I prefer to paint from daylight when possible so summers offer me more hours to paint. That in itself makes me happy. So summers are productive and happy times.
I had the opportunity to do two portraits a la prima and I was pleased with the results. They were also fun to paint. A la prima is when you complete the piece in the first sitting painting wet-on-wet. In other words, the wet paint is modeled to give the effect you want and then you’re done. Going back later to touch up after the paint dries is not “on the first”. Care has to be taken not to muddy the work by overmixing paints on the canvas, and that you have your lights and shadows the way you want them. To me, a la prima offers the opportunity to be more spontaneous and relaxed in my stroke.
I finished the portrait of my friend Justin. I had fun with that. He turned out to be a great model and appeared to have a lot of fun being “on stage”. I applied my typical ‘forceful color’ to portray the bold strength I see in him. He was pleased. And I did a couple of conté sketches as well on the last evening after finishing the oil on canvas board.
Two commissions from one of my collectors to do pencil portraits of his grandaughter and his niece are in the works. We’ve selected the pose for one of them and the other should be finalized soon. I’ll be doing these in French gray under my Vintage series.
I’ll be participating in the Annual Silent Auction of Fine Art for the Houston Civic Arts Association (HCAA). This is one of two main events to support HCAA, a local non-profit organization that has supported art and the area artists for the last 38 years. They also the the Bellaire Arts & Crafts Show twice a year. With these events they raise money to pay the rent. The rest of the years they provide classes and workshops by local instructors and internationally reknown artists. They have monthly meetings and typically have a guest artists do a demonstration before a pot-luck lunch for everyone. They provide a scholarship for young high school artists and sell supplies at a discount for members. The HCAA is manned by a 100% workforce made up of volunteers.
The Markos Portrait Studio Group and the Houston Civic Arts Association
invite you to a portrait unveiling reception and silent auction
Saturday, April 18, 2009
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Houston Civic Arts Association Gallery (HCAA)
5202 Bissonnet
Bellaire, Texas 77401
Purchased portraits can be donated to the City of Bellaire through the Belliare Arts Commission. The Mayor will present the Mayor’s Choice award at 7:30 pm.
All proceeds go to HCAA. We thank all the artists for their generous contribution of time, material, skill and support to not only paint these wonderful representational portraits but to also make this event possible.
More at: www.lilibethandre.com
The Markos Group dedicates this event to the memory of our dear friend and fellow Markos Group member, William (Willie) Wong.
When I decided to offer reproductions of my works I took care to select a local business I was satisfied with. I visited the facility and talked to their staff and techs. I also ventured into creating small prints myself and invested in the equipment to do so using my technical experience to boot. Today, I find myself welcoming the thought of having a little extra help so I can focus on the creative process more and less on the reproduction work. I began searching for an online business that could offer reproductions of my work and handle the whole process from the sale to production, shipping, and customer service. They had to be a quality shop that delivered exactly what I would provide if I were managing the process myself. I searched online and found FineArtAmerica.com. Upon further researching the site I found three artists I know among the 14,000 members of this online social network and e-commerce marketplace dedicated to visual arts–the largest of its kind. The ultimate test came when I set up my own profile (quite easily) and ordered prints for the final proof-in-the-pudding test. They reproduce the digital image I provide according to the offerings I choose. I was pleased with the results and I was also pleased with the care in packaging. So now, I outsource reproduction and it feels good to have some help to manage the reproduction and sales of my print work.
Every week I get together with the Markos Group, a portrait studio group of artists. We paint a new portrait every three weeks and our models are people from the community. We enjoy a quiet and relaxing evening with classical music and something to nibble on during breaks. Late last year I invited Mayor Cindy Siegel to pose for our group. To our pleasure, she accepted and in January she posed for us for three evenings to allow us to paint her portriat. We filled the room beyond easel capacity and in almost military precision managed to fit just the right amoung of artists to allow everyone to create a representational portrait of our VIP model. Among her many community projects, Mayor Siegel supports the arts. When she heard we would auction the portriats to raise funds for the Markos Group’s parent organization, the Houston Civic Arts Association (HCAA), a 38 year supporter of the arts in Bellaire; and with an opportunity to donate purchased portraits to the City of Belliare, Mayor Siegel agreed that the project was a good cause to help support the arts in the community.
To celebrate the unveiling of the portraits, the Markos Group is holding a reception and silent auction on Saturday, April 18th, at HCAA. Doors open and bidding begins at 7:00pm. Bids close at 8:30pm.
More information at: http://www.lilibethandre.com/
The Markos Group dedicates this event to the memory of our dear friend William Wong, a fantastic artist and long-time member of the Markos Group.
The show opening at Galleria Lazzara was damp. The rain scared any folks away and Meredith is quick to plan the closing reception. Nonetheless, many folks did come out to see the Flor & Fauna exhibit. I got to meet fellow exhibitors Sarah Kitagawa, a wonderful watercolorist with a great graphic technique and an eye for nature. I also met Chun Yi Long. His work is heavily textured oils incorporating his eastern education in western themes. I enjoyed chatting with Hebe Brooks and Susan Spjut who are also exhibitors. Their work in oil is graphic and incorporates figures in some themes.
The art from my Mexico series attracted locals and fellow transplants with memories from south of the boarder which these works evoke. The figures are strong and peaceful. There is an irony to note the artistic circle between the Mexican artist painting the Mexican craftsmen creating their handywork to feed the creativity of the artist. These scenes are an effort to preserve the culture, the memories and the scenes that gradually change over the years for “modernization” that cannot be sustained.
I had the opportunity to meet Marzia Faggin and Elizabeth Cencini this week. Elizabeth is on her way for another Italy visit with brushes in hand. Marzia and I had a chance to relish on the way that parenting expands the phases of your life. I have always admired the work of Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassat because I feel they capture these well in their madonna and madonna and child depictions.
As the cool rain continues to fall, I am preparing to work on new pieces for the Mexico series. I am in the “mental” stage and entering the sketch process at the moment.
This evening I’ll be attending the opening or Javier de Villota with my friend Victoria Arbizu-Sabater. I look forward to meeting the Spanish artist and seeing his work.
For now I am off to get my to-do list down to size.
Lilibeth André
A group show by Post-Diversionist artists at Heights Modern Home. The paintings will be available from March 7 - April 3, 2009.
Heights Modern Home
540 W. 19th Street, in the Heights, Houston, Texas.
A group show from March 12 - April 6. The opening reception is March 12th, 7 - 10 pm.
Galleria Lazzara
5400 Mitchelldale, Suite B.7
Houston, TX 77092
From 610, take 290 (northbound). Exit 34th/Antoine (2nd exit). Make a U-turn on 34th Street. Go back to Mitchelldale. Go west (right) for 2 blocks.
Things have been a bit hectic getting 2009 shows ready but I see a bit of painting time coming my way.
The Southwest Rodeo Roundup was a nice opportunity to see friends at the studio and share visitors with my studio neighbor Caroline Ratliff. We had live guitar music by Jeff Taebel and a quick strum by Gary Hastings. It was fun and thank everyone that came by. www.lilibethandre.com/guitonstudio.htm
I delivered a trio of paintings to Heights Modern Home yesterday where they will be exhibited for a month. The store environment is modern with oriental influence and you can get a ton of ideas walking around the showroom. The art exhibition is a group show by artists of the Post-Diversionist group, an art and social club, so I am hanging with my friends Lorena Fernandez, Shelly Shanks, Lacey Crawford, Martin de Vore, and Susan Goettsche. Stop by if you get a chance. While at Heights Modern Home I also visited with my friend Mitch Cohen at the 1st Saturday Ars Market and said hello to several friends like jeweler Jeanne Haner. Mariachi Mecca and dance group provided the music for the 5th Anniversary celebration of the Market. Duke Jones also entertained with his smooth voice and blues. http://www.heightsfirstsaturday.com/
I joined my friend Anita Higman as she launched her 24th book, “Love Finds You in Humbe Texas”. http://www.anitahigman.com/ Friends, Sondra and Layne Johnson were also there to celebrate with Anita and her family. Layne’s latest book, “Farmer Jones Plants a Nation” keeps rolling in accolades. http://www.laynejohnson.com/
Next up this coming Thursday is a group show at Galleria Lazzara. I am showing pieces from the Mexico series in this new space just outside the 610 Loop and 290. Come by to see the works of Susan Spjut, Hebe Brooks, Chun Yi Long, Sarah Kitagawa, and my own work. http://www.gallerialazzara.com/
Also on the calendar is the fundraising event for April. I am organizing the unveiling of 13 portrait paintings by the Markos Group artists and guest. We hosted Bellaire Mayor Cindy Siegel in January for a sitting. She graciously accepted the grueling job of sitting to allow us to represent her in 13 different portraits. The unveiling will include a silent auction of the works to raise funds for the Houston Civic Arts Association. The winning bidders will also have the opportunity to consider donating their art to the City of Bellaire through the Bellaire Arts Commission, who will host a future exhibition of the portraits. http://www.houstoncivicarts.org/
You can read more on the events in the Events postings or on my Website: http://www.lilibethandre.com/
Lilibeth Andre
The fundraiser for Camp HOPE was extraordinary. The location was an incredible early century home with 4 stories and art in every room. There was classical piano and song and a lively group of people in constant movement to see all the artwork available for bidding.
I want to invite you to become a fan on my Facebook Page. Just follow the link.
The works for the Southwest Rodeo Roundup are ready for February 28. I hope you can come to see this series based on my visit to Jim Helms ranch early last year.
I completed Mayor Cindy Siegel’s portrait. Our portrait studio group, the Markos Group, at the Houston Civic Arts Association will host a reception to unveil the work of 12 members and friends to raise funds for the HCAA and to offer buyers the opportunity to donate their artwork to the City of Bellaire for care by the Bellaire Arts Commission. The collection of portraits is astounding. The work or the artists reflects a marvelous example of the varied representational works in each artist’s individual style. The reception will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2009. See more in the Events postings.
Besides receiving guests, patrons and collectors at my Guiton Studio, I am scheduling portrait clients for sittings at this location. Starting this month of February, I am also teaching one-on-one classes on Saturday. Contact me if you are interested in available times.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Elizabeth Cencini’s new studio. While admiring her wonderful work I ran into artist friends, Martin de Vore and Lorena Fernandez. We had great laughs before dashing out to meet with Ginger Goldman, an inventive jeweler, for dinner. Chicken Picatta, fresh snapper and seafood, and manicotti filled our table. Then it was the extremely impressive representation of Frogs at Bellaire High School’s drama team. It is amazing what this group of high school students executed with the direction of their talented director and assistant director.
The night was capped with generous slices of German chocolate and Hawaiian creme cake from Empire Café. And that is how I said goodbye to January, and welcomed February.
Remember that for event details, you can look at the Events postings.
I’ll be participating in the first charity art auction for Camp HOPE sponsored by Southern Country Houston this coming Friday, January 23, at 7:30 pm. The event takes place at the home of Mr. John Danielson III in the Montrose area. The home was built 1898 and promises to be a wonderful showcase for the artwork offered for auction.
The event chair is Blair Fullerton, from Southern Country Houston. He is putting on the final details for the event and welcoming last minute volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
Come bid on my Palmetto Sunset, a 16 inch by 20 inch acrylic west Texas vista of blue bonnets and palmettos in the setting sun. (see an image in the Events postings)
I was moved to participate after reading their caption: Children cannot choose…so…Southern Country Houston has chosen them. Camp HOPE is a summer camp for Texas children with HIV/AIDS, ages 7-15.
My participation is to honor those always near and dear to my heart who have lost their fight to acquired immune defficiency syndrome. I hope many of you participate and I look forward to seeing you at the event.
Read more at:
www.lilibethandre.com/news.htm
Southern Country Houston hosts its first charity art auction for Camp HOPE.
Camp HOPE is a summer camp for kids ages 7-15 with HIV/AIDS in Texas.
Friday, January 23, 2009
7:30 PM
3618 Burlington, Houston, Texas
More at:
www.lilibethandre.com/news.htm
Last year, my friend and local author Anita Higman called. She asked if I would anwers a few questions about the art world. Anita was working on her latest book, Love Finds You In Humble, Texas. Her main character is an artists and although she took some art classes in school, she wanted to feel comfortable with a few scenes.
I met Anita about 10 years ago. She was doing a workshop at the Houston Writers League’s annual conference. She had several of her books to use as examples as she clearly presented wonderful tips for up and coming writers. I was one of the writers in the audience and thoroughly enjoyed her sensible approach and hard earned knowledge. Today Anita is the writer of over 20 books. http://www.anitahigman.com/
When Anita told me about the book I was very excited. Not just because it was her book or because she asked me to help with my knowledge of the art world but because her story takes place right here in Humbe, Texas. (The H is silent for all you non-Houstonians).
We had a great time together catching up and having some laughs. We both went back to our work and then just after Christmas, Anita said, “The books are in!”
Anita has been generous with me. She has offered me 9 autographed copies of Love Finds You In Humble, Texas. In return, I am including these books in my upcoming Southwest Rodeo Roundup exhibition coming up on Saturday, February 28, at my Guiton Studio. I will offer a copy of Love Finds You In Humble, Texas to the first 9 purchasers of the original pieces in the show. And Anita is on the guest list.
Southwest Rodeo Roundup
An exposition of southwest art including natural areas around Houston
Artists Caroline Ratliff and Lilibeth André present a collection of landscapes and other subjects found in our southwest and east Texas region, including a few longhorns.
Visit both artist studios and join the reception on Saturday, February 28, between 5 and 8 pm.
(for other times, call for appointment)
Guiton Artists Studios, West Loop Building, 4848 Guiton
Studio 201 & 209
Houston, Texas
For information on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit http://www.hlsr.com/