Newer work #95

#1423 One Direction. Watercolor collage on foamcore, 7.5×5 in mat to fit 10×8″ frame. $45.
Contains the line: “When everything points in one direction.”

Newer work #94

I love the desert rain when you can see it falling from a distance – sometimes the air below being so dry the rain never reaches the ground – the effect known as virga.

#1409 Desert Virga. Watercolor collage on foamcore, 7.5×5.5″ in mat to fit 10×8 frame. $45.
Contains the haiku:
Desert virga falls,
precipitation transforms
into a thin veil.

Newer work #93

A third collage from the batch I’m currently showing you.

#1408 “All the way up”, 7.5×5.5 in mat to fit 10×8″ frame.  $45.  Contains the poem:
Sky goes all the way
to eternity and back
and into our hearts.

Newer work #92

Another little collage, ready to go.  Very appropriate for a post on a cloudy day.

#1406 “Sky’s War” 
Watercolor collage on foamcore, 7.5×5.5″ with mat to fit 10×8 frame. $45. Haiku written for it reads:
Clouds are the sky’s war,
The strategy and battle
and sometimes, the blood.

 

Newer Work #91

I have been hoarding artwork, not putting up ‘newer work’ posts because I’ve been keeping so many of the newer paintings for competition.  All those competitions are now postponed, except for the 55+ show where everyone’s work is now trapped inside the gallery for the duration.  And all art fairs cancelled through at least mid May. I also read this morning that the coronavirus can only live on cardboard for 1 day and plastic for 3, which means even if I were to be infected (I do not believe I am), I can still ship artwork and it is safe!  So, I might as well let you know what is available.

#1405 Sky Comes Down.  Watercolor collage on foamcore, 7.5×5.5 in mat to fit 10×8″ frame.    
Haiku reads: Sky comes down to us,
At every angle the rain
that might wash us clean.
$45, free shipping.  

 

 

La Mirada talk and demo

Last week I went to the monthly meeting of the La Mirada Art Club to talk about my work and demonstrate part of my process for them.  I was fortunate that one of the members agreed to take some pics of me working while I was assembling the refractured watercolor.

Here’s the empty room, just when I’d set up.

After having watched me brutally hack up my painting, I start by assembling the horizon. 

I usually am looking at the sky the ‘right way up’…..

…and I usually start with the top of the sky….

Now it’ starting to come together.

Sliding some deeper blue under other pieces.

Well folks, that’s all we have time for tonight.

This is the layout that I created at the demo, but I just picked up the pieces without marking their places.

This is the final product

The poem in it reads:

Dawn leaves me speechless

These gold and turquoise jewels

precious beyond words.

 

Monthly mailing

I thought I’d try this way of reposting my Monthly Newsletter.  Nope, my html isn’t good enough to get rid of the squares…..

 

View this email in your browser There are many ways in which government can get involved in art, aside from their involvement in the creation of public art.  I had two such significant encounters in the last month, one negative and three positive. The first positive encounter was somewhat by proxy.  Ontario Airport has a few display cases in the concourse where the art of regional artists is displayed.  I was very happy to be informed recently that my application to show work there was approved and on Feb 19th five of my paintings were installed via the intermediary of Chaffey Community Museum of Art.  The paintings will be there until mid August. Art fair promoters have to work with local authorities on the locations for art fairs and any permits that are required, rules to be followed and registrations of individual artists to be processed.  I’ve done hundreds of fairs over the last decade and one of my favorites is in Palm Springs.  A few years back we had an issue where the city decided to move our venue from the center of town (loads of foot traffic and drive-bys to supplement our other advertising) to the civic center for the following season.  We appealed to the council and they relented. A few weeks ago our promoter commented that the permits for the two March shows hadn’t been approved yet.  We protested further and pointed out that the reason they’d given was no longer an issue.  Then more burning hoops were given.  This from an eblast from West Coast Artists: After meeting with the City of Palm Springs’ Special Event Team today here are the new requirements for the Desert Art Festivals. Loading: We are allowed to reserve 7 parking spaces in the small parking lot for loading at the end of the event. We are to stagger the loading process so that all of the 60 artists use those 7 spaces. There is no parking on Alejo and no parking on Palm Canyon Drive for the purpose of loading. We are not allowed to close the parking lot for loading or unloading. Cross Walks: We are to have crossing guards at the crosswalks because some people neglect to push the button for the crosswalk. This is perhaps a safety issue? Parking Attendants: We had contracted with the property owner across the street from the park, 4 acres, and we must have Community Service Officers patrolling the lot and showing people how to park during the event. Two officers at $55.00 an hour. Police Presence: We are required to have 2 Palm Springs Police officers at the event on Saturday morning for a minimum of 4 hours to make sure everything runs smoothly.  Traffic Plan: We are required to have a Traffic Plan for the parking lot across from the park where we intended to have Patrons park. The spaces in the dirt lot should be delineated so that people know how to park…. After all of these new requirements and the fact that the City Manager, Mayor, and several of the City Council Members have made untrue, disparaging remarks regarding the event to the public, I can’t help but feel like they do not want the Desert Art Festivals in Palm Springs any longer. After the meeting in Palm Springs, I attended the meeting in Rancho Mirage. They have welcomed us with open arms and are going to push the Permit application through the City at an accelerated pace.  At The River in Rancho Mirage management had very few requirements. They have opened up their facility and are very excited to welcome our events. Our events are actually WANTED in the City of Rancho Mirage. The comment was “We would love to take the events from Palm Springs!” Later on it became apparent that The River were not able to accommodate us on the 21st/22nd due to an existing event scheduled, but Indian Wells welcomed us back too, for that weekend.  Not all cities are the same! Here’s my schedule for the month: Fairs: Mar 7th: 29 Palms Art Gallery Spring Art and Craft Fair, 29 Palms, CA. Mar 14th: “Art on Main St“, Old Town La Quinta, CA Mar 21-22nd: Desert Art Festivals, Indian Wells, CA  (Their website might not be up to date yet, it’s on the corner of Cook and 111). Mar 28th: “Art on Main St“, Old Town La Quinta, CA Shows: Feb 2020-Aug 2020 Ontario Airport.  Show case at terminal displaying 5 mixed media paintings. Mar 2nd-26th: Artists 55+.  Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts, College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA. Reception March 10th 5-7pm Mar 5th-22nd: 29 Palms Guild Members Juried Exhibition. <29 Palms, CA.  Reception  March 7th, 5-7pm.  Classes: Mar 19th: Painting for Absolute Beginners, Borrego Art Institute. $110.  Contact me to book.

Newer Work #90

#1404 “Stretch” 7.5×5.5 watercolor collage in mat to 9×7. $45

“Stretch” is reminiscent of a painting I did in the early days where the tree reaches into the sun.  This one though has a poem – a haiku – written for it and into it:

Stretch into the light
My leaves are needing the sun
Food comes from the sky.

Collage Artists of America Membership Show

The Collage Artists of America membership show, “Just your Imagination” was held at the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center.  The show runs Sept 4-29th and the reception was on Sept 7th.  As part of my contribution to the show, I sat in the gallery on the afternoon before the reception.  It was quite during much of the afternoon though there were several families turned up with kids to have an art lesson.

I had forgotten my kindle so I had plenty of time to enjoy the exhibit in detail.

My entry was right next to the front door!

Assemblage is allowed, so we have sculpture too.

My show favorite is on the left there. I also serendipitously met with a friend who came to see the show, and this was her favorite too. It did not win an award.

A lot of figurative and portrait work.

I did like the tree piece and the one on the right, which also contained a tree.

The large green creation near to us took second place. My pic of the winner did not come out well, sorry.

I talked to this lady at length as we were the only ones in the gallery early on.

Getting ready for the reception.

Loved the piece on the right, though I felt it was more painting than collage.

Great crowd at the reception!  I still didn’t win an award….

Monthly newsletter

Ha – got so busy for a while, I forgot to post this month’s newsletter!