Shows and Shows and Shows

Pure Pigment Reception

Art Shows are springing up.   So you know that Pure Pigment opened at the WOW gallery in Laramie yesterday.  Gail and I had a nice collection of friends and met some new folks at the demo.  Jeanie Schlump, a brilliant pastel painter, enjoyed trying out pan pastels.  http://jeanieschlump.com/


And remember you still have time to see the Western Spirit Show http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/western_spirit_art_show_2012.aspx 

Old Mill pastel 8x6

in Cheyenne at the Old West Museum.   
This show runs through April 15th,  The Old Mill, Ivy and Aster and Helianthus are there with more than 200 pieces of art from 130 artists selected from across the nation. 


The next show, the Cheyenne Artists Guild annual Easter Show, will open April 3rd.  It is a tradition to visit the Guild on Easter Sunday, see the show and visit with the community.    Rejoice and Raw Chocolate will be on display.  

Pure Pigment

Pure Pigment. Just what does that mean? Pastel is pure pigment, the same pigment used in making all fine art paints. A bit of binder holds the pigment intact. As opposed to mixing color, as in oil painting, each stick of pastel owns its own hue. The word pastel does not mean a muted or toned down set of color as you will find a pastel stick in 1000's of colors. You have a chance to discover more about the medium of pastel at a demo' on Saturday March 24th at Works of Wyoming in Laramie from 2 to 4 PM. the Laramie Plains Civic Centre is at 710 Garfield and find WOW is in Suite 271.
Gail Watford and Vanda Edington will show their pastel art and you can pick up a pastel and feel the soft velvety texture and create you own mini masterpiece.  Hope to see you there!
Oh,  don't forget to visit the http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/ while in Laramie... Open 1-5 Monday through Saturday.  

Framed

It usually takes about an hour to frame each piece.  First the pieces need one last look, a signature, a name and trimmed to fit the frame.   I usually use standard frame sizes for the economy.  I want to sell my art so framing expense needs to be reasonable.  The frames you see in the picture are from an online art website.  My friend Gail and I watch for the sales and buy in large lots to get the "free" shipping.  The glass is also purchased in bulk.  I use non-glare.  There are conservations between using regular glass, non-glare and museum glass.  When you see a piece framed in each of the styles you can decide which you prefer.   There must be a riser between the glass and the pastel image.  Since none of these pieces are matted the riser is thin and set on the edge of the frame. 

Notice the piece on the top right still needs glass.  I need to check my inventory as the 16x20 size is depleted.  The piece is called Rejoice and will be on display at the Cheyenne Artists Guild Easter show in April.

These pieces were painted over the last few months.  The studio is now ready for new inspiration.

Framing

The evolution of a painting begins with the inspiration.  After it is painted it needs to marinate and eventually it is time to scumble it out and begin again or frame.  The shelf in my studio is getting pretty full. Later today I will will give all these paintings one last review, and if ready, sign, take a picture of the image and give them to my framer.  I am lucky as I married my framer.  He has learned the elements of framing.  I choose the frame and he cleans the glass and adds the riser that protects the pastel from the glass.  He makes certain the non-glare glass is placed correctly and insets the points, adds the d-rings, picture wire and wa-la, another piece of art ready for showing.  

The link is an article from Deborah Secor on framing pastel art. http://www.deborahsecor.com/pastel_talk.html

Komen Wyoming Art For the Cure

Can you believe the 10th anniversary for the premier art event in Cheyenne is coming up?   

http://www.komenwyoming.org/get-involved/art-for-the-cure/

I donated Tis a Rose last year.  This year I have already chosen the piece.  It has yet to be named.  Maybe you can give me a suggestion.  Mary Aslin (last blog) suggests her naming comes from the emotion the painting inspired. 

These flowers seem to be waiting sedately on the cabinet near the morning light, ready to catch the eye, ready for the first cup of tea... Mark your calendar for April 20 at Little America for a look at all the art.

Mary Aslin

Garden Pot 5x7 Pastel

I painted yesterday, the first time in a few weeks.  I sold a little piece, which was encouraging, and was accepted for the second year in the Western Spirit show with two pieces.  I am still searching for inspiration so I Googled "pastel artists" and discovered a pastel artist from California that INSPIRED me.    The only problem, I spent an hour on her site, reading the blogs, marveling at the images, discovering her journey and had to force myself go back to work.  I liked the little study so well that I started a 9x12 version.  Not yet done so hope to share next time.


Check out Mary at http://maryaslin.com
and tell her Vanda said hi.