What's In a Name

Autumn Again 9x12 pastel

I typically struggle with a title for a piece of art.  It may come while painting but sometimes the painting has to marinate and it will come to me.  Autumn Again was a a painting I scumbled out several times when it was not pleasing to me.  The third time I focused on the many lessons I have been taught in recent workshops and finally, I was happy with the painting.   The name was based on the changing seasons and it took me several times to paint, again and again.    Autumn Again recently won a first in Pastel at the Art Fest competition here in Cheyenne.  Art Fest is hung at the Laramie County Library through December 20th.

Helianthus 18x24 pastel

Heliantius is my typical naming technique when the painting stumps my creativity.  Go for the Latin derivation.. and then everyone is stumped.  Helianthus won third - Intermediate at the National Arts Program exhibition hosted by the City of Cheyenne and hanging at the Civic Center through December 18th.  http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/venues/cheyenne-wy

Maphead

Yes Maphead:  that is a title of a new book by Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy champion for more than six months, that claims the love of maps, cartography, geography and the related travel bug, is genetic.  
http://ken-jennings.com/maphead.html    


So now you know a bit more about me.  I love maps!  The book is chock full of why we love maps and goes on with stories of travel, goecaching and the five million dollar map, purchased by the Library of congress, because it was the first map with the name America on it.  http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0309/maps.html

While the book is entertaining it also inspired me to use some of my map collection in my art.  Georgia Roswell is working on a body of work with topographical maps... which will premier at The Old Fire House Gallery In Lovland in 2012.  I can't wait to see how she creates her maps. 

Art Partners

Pink Petunias

The Arts Alliance of Cheyenne has taken an innovative approach to finding gallery space for local artists and formed a partnership with the members of the Cheyenne Chamber  of Commerce. http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/community-programs/art-partners-2/   Several artists have found space and you will find original art on the walls of the participating businesses.  If you are a client of Halley Murray and Smith PC you will have a chance to see a collection of my pastels in the conference room.    http://halleyandmurray.com/

The Grocery List

Raw Chocolate 9x12 pastel

There is a great new business in Cheyenne, I.Qlinary.  It has a commercial kitchen in which all the ingredients are prepped and recipes are posted so all you have to do is assemble the ingredients and take home your entrees to cook later.  http://www.iqlinary.com/  I tried out the service when our newest g'son arrived and gave their parents six meals, easy to complete.    In addition to the business Pam and Katie will open the business to art.  They will have sampling at the reception for Art Design and Dine on November 10th from 5 to 8 PM.  Gail and I will be there with all of our paintings that have a food theme.  Come see The Grocery List and check out I.Qlinary. 

An Apple A Day 9x12 pastel

Gallery Space

Spring Will Come 9x12 Pastel

It snowed yesterday.  It was only foretasted to rain so the eight inches of solid rain was a bit of a wonder.  We had a birthday party for Barbara and everyone braved the storm.  A good time was had by all.   Because I don't have a show scheduled until November I created a little gallery in a extra wide hall in our home.  I used the show tags with the names and prices of the paintings.  Friends that hadn't had time to see my art enjoyed seeing the show and I even sold a painting.   It is a gift for the new cabin. 

PSC

So what's in a name?  Until I begin this path of discovering myself as an artist I didn't know much about creating art, let alone the the process of entries, the awards, the shows and the actual business side of art.   When I joined the Pastel Society of Colorado and delved into the website I found out about those little letters PSC by the signature of many of my favorite artists.    http://www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org/index.html   


To become a signature member the artist must accumulate points from acceptance in juried shows and winning awards in the shows.   So I am pleased to let you know that I can now add PSC to my signature.

Pick a Punkin 5x7

I added a small little painting completed recently for the Weekly Art Challenge.  With the fall season here pumpkin pie and Halloween are just around the corner.