Today is the 19th Annual White Street Walk in Eureka Springs. Lots and lots of artists are setting up their homes and studios to welcome shoppers and party goers. There will be a huge assortment of artwork, including paintings and prints, jewelry, pottery, and assemblage sculpture. I will be bringing some new originals, and framed and unframed prints. I finished the newest girl of wonder last night. “Time Flies” is 24″ x 24″ acrylic on canvas. Check out Studio Kathryn Semolic on facebook for more info on the White Street Walk and other art shows.
I have some of the neatest kids come to the studio for painting workshops. Without exception, these students are fortunate to have very involved and caring moms. I am grateful to know them all and to have their children as students and today I am hoping they all feel very appreciated for all they do to nurture their kids. I’m always imagining a world where every child is loved and nurtured for who they are. A world where everyone has time and space to find their voice and share it with the world. A world where people do not hurt each other or any life, aah. Thanks, moms, for being a part of that beautiful vision.
Scott finished his painting of an air compressor last week and did a wonderful job indicating the form with lines of gold. He made some big artistic decisions while working on this piece and did a great job of making the painting his own by adding or omitting details. Like Scott, I think it has real character.
There was a brief reprieve from the rain when I arrived Friday for the art show at the Rockefeller Institute. I walked around the beautiful trails and over bridges made of stone and of trees sliced lengthwise. In no time I found myself hopping about like a kid without a care in the world. The art show was very nicely presented and the hosts at the Institute could not have been more gracious to the artists, but for me the highlight was the time I spent outdoors-swinging.
I love swings and I love lakes. You can see from this photo that this spot is where I blissed out. Aah.
Indoors, there was some fine art to look at, evening gatherings with the other artists in the show, excellent food, and comfy rooms. The juror’s presentation of awards was a highlight and I very much enjoyed his comments. The show turnout was dismal, but that is easily attributed to the intense storm with tornado warnings all around the area. Those who did attend were lively and I enjoyed meeting some very interesting people. The show is open through May 23rd so the verdict is still out on the sales aspect. Conference attendees at the Institute are treated to the addition of the art show and I know for a fact that they are viewing the exhibit because yesterday a gentleman from a naturalists’ conference came to my studio to see more of my work.
Once the official events were over and the rain persisted I spent several hours in the company of two very lively women, talking about the power of art, sharing stories and a meal. I enjoyed them both and hope to see them here in Eureka soon. A final viewing of the exhibit and I was off through the fog. Before leaving the mountain, I took in Cedar Falls. It was raging and I stood in the pouring rain listening to its roar and snapped this shot.
I’ll be back on Petit Jean Mountain soon and I am glad of it.
Here is a link to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Story about the exhibit, including days and times it is open to the public. I don’t think “rival” is the word Mr. McCann was looking for when speaking about Arkansas and art, perhaps it got jumbled in the phone line. Arkansas’s natural beauty fosters a great sense of connection to the divine, enlivens the creative impulse, and no where is that more evident than at the summit of Petit Jean Mountain.
mushroom kingdom 12″ x 12″ acrylic on canvas $450.
Today I am on my way to the Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain. I am one of 20 artists selected for the 4th Annual Art In the Air Professional Art Exhibit and Sale at the Rockefeller Institute. The show opens tomorrow with the Artist and Collectors Brunch and the afternoon Opening Reception and runs through May 23rd.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
30″ x 40″ acrylic on canvas $2800.
When I was a little girl my mom explained that things would be different when we moved to Connecticut. I asked if I could have a pet giraffe when we lived there. Well, not THAT different. Hmmph.
Today, I have moved my students’ paintings to the side and begun to gather and label the six pieces which I will be delivering to the Rockefeller Institute for next month’s exhibit. I have made arrangements to gather the painting from Senator Pryor’s office tomorrow and I am plotting my journey around the possibility of eating Indian cuisine and seeing the Peter Max exhibit.
Travel plans make me glad all over and I am excited about planning bigger trips for the retreats. Did I mention I found the perfect location for the Mexico Adventurers to gather? Authentic and luxurious, that’s what I’m planning for all the trips I’ll lead next year. I’m working on a website and brochure for these Adventures in Creative Living and I am eager to share some of my favorite places and art projects.
I made this cake for the birthday of a fun friend who is about to take a long road trip on her motorcycle. We had a party for her yesterday that topped off a fun weekend with friends.
Today the art class was small and laid-back. The students sketched on their canvasses and began to paint. I gave little tips and asked them a few questions about their tasks, although I am eager to see them get absorbed into the process of painting and learn by experimentation.
I’m now finished with giraffe painting. I’ll photograph it tomorrow if the weather holds, and get a photo up here.
I have been working on a large painting which includes a giraffe. I decided to make some changes to it and had to wait for the paint to dry thoroughly so I can sand it down and make the surface as consistent as I would like. In the meantime, I am preparing a 5′ x 4′ panel for another painting and beginning this painting. The guitarist was photographed in Russia by Robin, who is loaning me several photos from which to paint. What you see above is where the piece is now. For some folks, I suppose this would be finished! I’ll likely work at it until none of what is seen here is visible in the final painting. It’s still fun to look at the steps along the way! I penciled in a grid on the canvas and sketched the figure before laying in the underpainting. Below is a photo of my first step, determining the composition and gridding out the reference photo. I like how it resembles the frets on a guitar.
My mom thought for a few years that she was moving to the coast to be near my sister, but then my sister moved in with her and so they’re staying put. Mom and Glenn built an amazing house where everything is beautiful and now Glenn is adding little personal touches. Last time I was down for a visit he had painted an small section of wall in his wc to look like the wallboard was busted through. You see the copper pipes and a little mouse. Now he has painted this trompe l’oeil mural on the wall above their personal desk. Mom gets a beach view afterall.
I had a great day walking around town in the sunshine today. I ran into lots of people and did a lot of visiting, saw tons of art, walked down the street carrying this panel with Jerri, laughed, had some yummy coffee, and gathered together a few friends for a fire. Well, I couldn’t start the fire. All the wood is green, and I was the only one who cared anyway. So as my friends sit and discuss life and real estate in Eureka Springs, I thought I’d share what I consider to be the best art I saw all day, not counting the masterful eagle head done in catsup on french fry! This painting, titled Quick Fix, is hanging on the side The Inn Convenient Store on Main St. I’ll be doing a painting for that location soon and I’m just starting to think about what that will be.
One particularly silly night at karaoke, my painter friend, Jerri Stevens took this picture of me. I told her I had done a painting from it and she said “oh yeah, it was one of those pictures where you’re trying to eat me.” I usually just lick her cheek. It makes her make a funny face. I love her funny faces. Well, here’s one of mine. This is my second self portrait. The first one sold to some collector in Florida. It seemed odd to me that someone would want a painting of a stranger, especially since that one was of an angry me. Now that I think about it, for a long time I was hooked on reading only first novels, believing that I was getting a self portrait of the author whether they knew it or not. I also like reading people’s letters. So, I suppose I do understand the impulse to own a self portrait as a means to making connections to what it means to be human and alive in our world. From artists there are a couple of delicious collections of letters which I recommend: Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent VanGogh and Lovingly, Georgia:The Complete Correspondence of Georgia O’Keeffe and Anita Pollitzer.
I have now posted this painting for sale in my etsy shop. It is $200. and ships or delivers free to anyone who is a fan of Studio Kathryn Semolic on facebook.
more info on the Clear Spring School auction to come… for now I can tell you there are some amazing items to bid on and that I made this painting for the event. It is 24″ x 24″ on a gallery wrap canvas with painted edges, wired and ready to hang.
I loved having a couple of friends come for a visit. We enjoyed the perfect day. Brunch, a photo shoot stroll to Little Lake Eureka, a strenuous walk up East Mountain, followed by a meeting of friends at Henri’s and games at the house until the wee hours of the morning. Today I have been fighting with a painting. Tonight I shall let it win. Let go and let art?
