Dec 10 Service Club Of St. Clair County Holly Day Party

"Abstract art requires something of the viewer. It demands contemplation. Study. Flights of fancy. Feeling."
-- Svante Rydberg

Here's some of my art patrons showing off works they purchased at this year's Christmas Holly Day Event at the Millennium Hotel in downtown St. Louis.

Cherie Pellock of Ba Lu Coyote on Main Street, Edwardsville, IL, purchased a painting for herself and one for her daughter to give to her father.

They chose "In The Forest" (on left) and "Glorious."

I am always excited to see a patron get excited about my work and want to display my work in their home or office.















Below my enthusiastic patron Jennifer Rashet, U. City, Mo, purchased two paintings after being high bidder last year on two of my donated paintings. Wondering if she was high bidder on this year's donated painting. Thanks, Jennifer! Enjoy "Bursting With Color" and "Fresh Air of Winter."

Dec 6 GEAG Xmas Party w/Friends

"When I find myself fading,
I close my eyes and realize
my friends are my energy."
-- Anonymous

Our table was the most popular place to laugh at this year's GEAG Christmas party. We missed friend Barb Hasselhorst and pretended she was there by saving her a place setting and name tag...however, we ate her lil candy basket. There was a drawing for all 15 centerpieces and our tablemate, Paul Greiman, won ours.

Here's Helen Fritz and Paul chatting....



.....and if you noticed the video screen in the background - well, that bright idea of some GEAG member showcased the year's contest winners. It was a nice touch.

La Donna Sanson and Jane Reed (our art Q&A contest writer EXTRAORDINAIRE) posed for me. Steve Koritta is in the background. This guy plays great guitar and sings 60's like he was born back then. V-P of GEAG, Amy Pawlitschek, is turned to Steve, whom she suggested be our background entertainment. Steve's music made for a great evening. He even had a Christmas repertoire. Thanks, Steve! (I know Steve from working at the Allegra Printing, where I have my postcards printed - I was happy to recently introduce him to Libby Reuter, director of the Schmidt Art Center. Libby can use Steve's talents at the many Schmidt receptions. Good luck, Steve. Hope you get a gig at the next reception! Here's a photo of Steve playing his guitar, belting out "Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water"....you're a pro, Steve!



Betty Powers, my favorite 85-year-old artist and all-around fun person with a zest for life, smiled for the camera. Betty has agreed to do some sittings for me in 2007. I adore this woman. What spunk!



Then there's THIS crazy lady - she reallllly did get a WHITE ELEPHANT as her white elephant gift! Can you believe this woman is a nurse? Still, she's the happiest person I've ever known. Her face glows with happiness. She should bottle that look! We shall paint the town red in 2007! (and blue and green and orange and purple and yellow or whatever strikes our fancy!)



Last, but not least.....Michael Anderson posed for me at the next table - proudly displaying his "white elephant" surprise. Cute, Mike! Michael will have his opening reception as permanent member of the Gateway Gallery in Clayton, Mo. in February. Check out Michael's website at www.michaelandersonstudio.com

The Foundry Reception

"As artists we are manifesting thought into reality every time we create." -- Cristina Acosta

I caught these two ladies viewing my work at Friday night's FOUNDRY WATERCOLOR SHOW reception.



The reception was a nice event with lots of people interested in the works. Great food layout and good wine. I did not win, but the exposure and just being accepted into the show was special for me. I plan to visit again and take more photos. Wonderful exhibit!

This is a shot taken just inside the front door.
The strings of lights hanging vertically at the right
faced the food layout and wine bar. Classy.



And this shot was taken inside Gallery I.
Isn't this a perfectly lovely space?

Fort Worth, Texas Exhibit 12/8-12/30/06

"There's no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen." -- Wayne Dyer

The following pieces are on display at the Fort Worth, Texas Community Arts Center. This is an unusual exhibit, as all works are on display sans mats and frames and must be 9x12 or less in size. I selected 5 pieces. Over 900 pieces were submitted last year from over 40 states. This is used as a fundraiser by the Center. All works are sold for $100, with 20% commission. Clever idea and a nice way for people to pickup some original art as reasonable price.

FRAMATIONS GALLERY in Old St. Charles

"A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something." -- Frank Capra



FRAMATIONS GALLERY at 218 North Main Street in OLD ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI.



Ongoing exhibit of works by members of OAK LEAF ARTIST GUILD.



Gallery open 10am-6pm Tuesday thru Saturday and 12pm-5pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays. Phone 636 724 8313 or email them at Framations@earthlink.net. Fun gallery next to great restaurants and nightspots on North Main.

Thoughts to Ponder - October 3

I saw this written as a click back comment on Painter's Keys (www.painterskeys.com):

"Anyone who does not make art but tries to explain art is like a man trying to describe childbirth. Scientists are always trying to figure out the goo that makes us work and forget the very thing it is that makes us run - it is what leaves us when we die - and they don't know what that is either, do they? Our spirit. Run as fast as you can Einstein--you'll never catch me I'm the gingerbread man. A scientist thinks about the chewing - an artist enjoys the tasting."

I'd love your comments on this quote, please (move your mouse over COMMENTS and click on the link to make your comments). Have a great day!


Watercolor below is
"BOUQUET"

Art On The Square Gallery, Belleville, Ill.

"What I mean by 'abstract' is something which comes to life spontaneously through a gamut of contrasts, plastic at the same time as psychic, and pervades both the picture and the eye of the spectator with conceptions of new and unfamiliar elements..." -- Marc Chagall




This was a great place to have an exhibit!



DREAMCATCHER II
“I dreamed of summer fields and the wild things that grow there -- and put them on my brush and on to paper.”

FLEUR
“I dreamed in French - Ooh la la - a French fleur-de-lis for the holidays.”


CREATION
“Ohhh, how very inspiring and wonderous are the beginnings of life - flower to fauna!”

Madison County Arts Council Champagne Fundraiser

"Do not copy nature too much. Art is an abstraction." -- Paul Gaugin

The Madison County Arts Council Champagne Fundraiser, Alton, Ill., was a success September 23. It was a wonderful evening with a full-capacity crowd. ....

Re-lighting of the JACOBY neon sign was cause for celebration! .....peek inside the gift shop, too.


The paintings below were among 51 pieces auctioned off to benefit the center. Both paintings sold well ....plus I was given an award for "DUSK" ----- I think the art council probably raised about $10,000.

DUSK
(at left)





WINTER'S HOPE
(below)

THE FOUNDRY WATERCOLOR SHOW, St. Charles

"The abstraction is often the most definate form for the intangible thing in myself that I can clarify in paint." -- Georgia O'Keeffe

These works were accepted into THE FOUNDRY WATERCOLOR SHOW in St. Charles, Missouri from 11/22/06 thru 1/4/07.
Fancilful Fantasy

and Miami Memories.

ARTEast '06 EDWARDSVILLE, IL

"Each has his past shut in him like the leaves of a book known to him by heart and his friends can only read the title." -- Virginia Woolf

If you've never attended ARTEast, you are in for a treat. Hundreds of artists display their work at numerous venues.

My work was exhibited at EDEN United Church of Christ.









The church is just north of RUSTY'S (a popular, well-known nightspot in Edwardsville).






Fifteen of my pieces were on display.

Professor Ann Losoft, Edwardsville, purchased "Mood Indigo." Seems appropriate, as she is a psychologist. Thanks, Ann.

Kiosk at THE FOUNDRY

"There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterwards you can remove all traces of reality. There's no danger then, anyway, because the idea of the object will have left an indelible mark." -- Pablo Picasso

The ST. LOUIS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY KIOSK (in St. Charles, Mo.) was set up 9/1. My works were on exhibit thru 12/1/06. THE FOUNDRY is a wonderful venue. Hope you can stop by for a visit.

I'm honored that my dear friend, Barbara Hasselhorst, purchased three of the poinsettia paintings.

THE FOUNDRY is a place to relax and enjoy ART. I love it. Be sure to stroll upstairs to view the artists at work in their studios. This is simply the best studio venue in metropolitan St. Louis.
I've included a closeups of TROPICALLY SPEAKING and FESTIVAL.

M.A.C. Gallery Exhibit

"Abstract paintings with a few brush touches too many are just like the servings of mock orange tea with added sugar." -- Wayne Thiebaud

My October, 2006, Missouri Athletic Club Gallery exhibit is pictured above. I've included a panoramic of the lobby so that the location of gallery off the main hallway could be viewed. Great placement for members entering from the front door valet parking area.

Many thanks to Diane Schrage, my rep, for hanging the works while I "directed" placement. We were told that the exhibit was well-received.

Again....the best part of being accepted in the Missouri Athletic Club Gallery was the curator noting that she remembered my deceased father, who was a member of M.A.C. up until 6 years ago. I had a tear in my eye when she said she remembered my dad's regular visits. He would be sooooo incredibly proud of me to have this exhibit.

I also received an announcement of my work in the Cherry Diamond, M.A.C.'s monthly magazine. Two of my paintings were featured. To read the announcement in Cherry Diamond click on the image to enlarge in new window.

The Guild at The Shrine

I'm pleased that GALILEE won 3rd place for "Best Use Of Creativity"...."Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while." -- Steve Jobs



Other paintings in the show included Crucifixion and Peace

To view a larger image, point your mouse on image and click - larger image will open for viewing.

These paintings were featured among 130 other paintings at Gateway East Artist's Guild show in the Guild Center at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows July 23 thru August 27. Reception was 11am-4pm, Sunday, July 23. Closing ceremonies and awards took place at 3pm on Sunday, August 27.

Gateway Gallery in Clayton

"Because watercolor actually moves on the paper, it is the most active of all mediums, almost a performance art." -- Nita Engle

The above works were on display and available at Gateway Gallery in Clayton, Missouri 5/19/06 thru 6/30/06.

Thank you so much to friends that came to the June 19 reception to see my works...especially Mr. and Mrs. Ed Cristal, Barbara Singer, Dottie Metroulas, Michael Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. John Flaughers, Helen Fritz, Barbara Hasselhorst, John ....and Diane Schrage, my truly awesome rep!.....

The evening of the reception was hotter than hades, but we found comfort sitting outside on a park bench.

Paintings included in the above display include: Dreaming Arizona, Crystals On Window, Pueblo CO, Fresh Air of Winter, Bursting With Color, LaVeryne, In The Forest, Spirited Away, Cottonwood, White Birch, Cherry, Aurora, Spring Tulips, The Dance, Storm, Discovery and Gathering Storm.

Works at Broadway Arts

These works were on display at Broadway Center for the Arts in Belleville, Illinois, during the 2005 Belleville Art Walk (October, '05).

This was my very first public exhibit. So much has happened since I got my first taste of putting my work before the public. Thanks, Tom Hohn, for encouraging me to exhibit.

Clockwise:
"Mood Indigo" at top.
Sold

"Winter Coming"
Sold

"In the Country"
Sold

"Into The Woods" was purchased from the center by Patty Gregory, director of ART ON THE SQUARE, Belleville, during an art walk.

"Into The Woods"
Sold

"Every good painter paints what he is." - Jackson Pollock

Interesting notes on Pollock:

It was Jackson Pollock who blazed an astonishing trail for other Abstract Expressionist painters to follow. De Kooning said, ``He broke the ice'', an enigmatic phrase suggesting that Pollock showed what art could become with his 1947 drip paintings.

It has been suggested that Pollock was influenced by Native American sand paintings, made by trickling thin lines of colored sand onto a horizontal surface. It was not until 1947 that Pollock began his ``action'' paintings, influenced by Surrealist ideas of ``psychic automatism'' (direct expression of the unconscious). Pollock would fix his canvas to the floor and drip paint from a can using a variety of objects to manipulate the paint.