Saturday, February 29, 2020

US Bank Celebration of the Arts 2020

My painting, Creek Tyme, at the US Bank Celebration of the Arts 
at the Kentucky Museum at WKU

Last night Frank and I attended the lovely US Bank Celebration of the Arts show 2020 held at Western Kentucky University's Kentucky Museum. It had been a while since we'd attended, and it has really grown! With over 150 artist entries and the public invited and with each artist bringing a plus one....or two....or three it was a BIG crowd. As always, the hard working staff at the Museum put on a wonderful reception. We so appreciate all the work that goes into pulling off an art exhibit of this size.

Oh.....and the best part of the event was Frank won 2ndplace sculpture for Reach!!

       
         
          

Here is a blog about the making of Reach


Thursday, February 20, 2020

Busy French Market

Busy French Market

11 x 14 acrylic paints on gallery wrapped canvas

This painting came about from a summer time visit to a farmers market. I wanted to play a bit with composition and “near and far” aspects of the busy market. 

I began with various folks in the market, capturing their gestures with broad strokes of colour and little detail, since they were essentially “background”. I loved the blue “French Market” umbrellas over the attractive veggie laden tables. I took many pics of the luscious veggies, and “stacked” them in my painting with the warmest colors (oranges, yellows, fire engine reds) in the forefront of the painting. Layered behind were less warm colors of onions and red cabbages. I couldn't resist adding in some little price boards with a bit of French. Choux is french for cabbage! 

Sunday, February 16, 2020

All The Angles

All the Angles

11 x 14 inches acrylic paints on gallery wrapped canvas

This painting came out of a photo shoot at the Clarksville Montgomery County Old Courthouse building. The angles produced by the gables and turret towers were were just too lovely to pass up. I got to play with “bouncing” sunlight, (cool on the top and warm in reflected shadows from underneath), when I worked on the statue of Blind Justice that stands atop a pediment on the roof. 

When I looked really closely at the statue's base I saw a flood light fixture. Well to my “bird sensitive” eyes (I am, after all, married to an avid birder.....), the floodlight looked like a red tailed hawk perched on the pediment overlooking the justice building. For whimsey's sake, I immediately painted in a red tailed hawk silhouette, imagining the hawk providing his vision for the use of “Blind Justice”. 

Friday, February 7, 2020

Market Colors

Market Colors
8x8 inches square acrylic paints on gallery wrapped canvas

This bitty painting, only 8x8 inches, was sparked by busy market goer, striding briskly thru the open air market. She had already gotten her market items, and was walking along with her little girl on her hip. 

I represented the swirl of market activity going by at a fast pace,with colourful paint blurs. Until you stop and look at a specific booth, the people and items for sale seem to be a colorful festive jumble. Just part of the charm of an open air market visit.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Balcony Seating


Balcony Seating

11 x 14 inches acrylic paint on gallery wrapped canvas

This painting grew out of a rainy grungy day that I really wanted to paint a pop! of a bright colour.

I had in my photograph stash, a photo of a grey unremarkable city building that had a awing over the rooftop and I let my imagination run amok with details. I added some people in the background, some greenery on the bitty balcony and a couple of lovely girls waving at a friend on the street below.
My favorite bit of all is the fun contrast of the orange facade against the contrasting pale blues of the doorways and the deep blue of the shadows in the rooftop awning. It sure brightened up my day....and I hope it does yours too!