The "Art Prize" Experience.

My good intentions to write about my experience in Grand Rapids for the Art Prize competition took an unscheduled detour. I've developed a serious condition called "Lazy-itis"! I believe I have it under control now so here it is. My time in GR during Art Prize was nothing short of amazing. It is fuel for my soul to be surrounded by other people, "artists", who live creatively. It was seven days of art, art, art. Every kind of art imaginable. Thousands of people emerged into the city to not only partake in the event but become part of the event. While there I fulfilled my scheduled obligations of painting on location in Rosa Park Square as well as the John Ball Zoo during ZooArt Day which was planned around my painting appearance. I spoke with many interested people at these events and enjoyed every minute of it. Each day I gave artist talks to the viewing public At Open Concept Gallery about my painting, "High Society" . While I did not return home the winner of the competition, I did win. My prize was the experience itself and one that I will always cherish.

The completion of "High Society"

The creation of "High Society" has overcome the difficulties of life's roadblocks and pot holes. The conception of this piece was easy. The stages of development from beginning through completion gave me several obstickles to maneuver through. The poor health of close family members, the death of another, a move and the usual orange cones of life such as work, kids and daily duties. When all was said and done I passed the driving test. My painting has been completed and is now hanging in Open Concept Gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan as it should. Raise the checkered flag, the Art Prize race is about to begin! The opening of Art Prize begins at 6pm September 23, 2009. Please consider "High Society" for your vote. My voting number is 27641

High Society in progress

Four days on the count down clock. That's all the time that I have left to complete my newest painting "High Society". Six weeks ago I began applying sketches to my largest canvas to date. Even though six weeks have passed the actual amount of days devoted to this canvas is just twenty days!

A taste of High Society !

Here you can see detailed areas of "High Society" in progress. At this stage I have put down the first blocked in layers and am just beginning to add more ingredients. The entire canvas is filled to the same degree but I want to leave something to surprise. I will share future development as more of the recipe is revealed.

My Art Prize venue is.....

In my previous post I talked about the Art Prize Competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After Submitting a proposal for my intended work of art along with info about me and the entry the next step is to be connected with a venue to exhibit the work. Over 1500 artists are vying for only approximately 130 venues.
Open Concept Gallery of Grand Rapids, MI. has invited me to exhibit my painting, 'High Society', during the two week long event. This building features beautiful architectural elements that will enhance the experience of this exhibit and I'm looking forward to being a part of what is being called the biggest art competition in the world.
This competition offers a large amount of prize money and it is the public who decides the winners by way of voting. Voters must register at the event and place their votes electronically.
Please come to see this very unique event and remember that your vote for your favorite work of art can change someones life.
Click on the links below for more info about Open Concept Gallery and the Art Prize event.
www.openconceptgallery.org
www.artprize.org

Sketches for 'High Society'

Here are just a few of the sketches for my painting in progress, 'High Society'.

Art Prize Competition

Art Prize is being called the biggest art competition ever held. The epicenter of Art Prize is in Grand Rapids, Michigan just a couple hours drive from my home. This venture is backed by the DeVos family for the purpose of bringing more art and culture into the city as well as to help boost the economy.
My entry for this competition will be my largest painting to date which is 36 x 60 inches and titled 'High Society'. The following is a little info about the piece which is in progress.

'High Society' is a private viewing into the world of the Squirrel Monkey living in the Central American rain forest high in the canopy. This painting invites you to step into their world and recognize behaviors and emotions that you thought were reserved for a higher intelligence. If you look closely you might see playfulness, mischievous behavior, anger ,curiosity, security, maternal instincts and bonding. Perhaps love.
As the viewer go's mostly unnoticed by the world in front of them there is the opportunity to examine our own human society and realize that these and other creatures are equally as important as ourselves.

To learn more about Art Prize click on this link...www.artprize.org

'Monkey Business' Awarded First Place

My painting 'Monkey Business' was awarded First Place at the Spring Fine Arts Exhibit at the Visual Arts Association of Livonia or VAAL. I was also awarded with an honorable Mention for my painting, 'Sudden Encounter'. I am honored to receive these awards especially due to the caliber of the art at the exhibit. Please take some time to visit the exhibit. You are sure to enjoy it and be inspired! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The exhibit location: Livonia City Hall 33000 Civic Center Drive Livonia, MI (At Five Mile and Farmington Road) Reception Date/Time: Thursday, May 7th 2009 from 7:00-8:00 pm Exhibit Hours: Livonia City hall business hours---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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www.vaalart.org

VAAL- Visual Arts Association of Livonia

Every now and then I've herd about an art association in Livonia where there is bountiful really good art to be had. Last year I met a member from that association and he invited me to check it out. Well I did and what I found was a wealth of talented artists! This organization has been around for many years and now I'm happy to say that I have joined this group of talent and will share and collaborate with some of the finest in our area. Please visit the VAAL web site for more information.
www.vaalart.org

Splash of Orchid Color.

My work is all about color, pattern, shape, nature
of course and color. Did I mention Color? I like to
surround myself with things that inspire me.
Things that I enjoy seeing every day such as
elements of nature. One of the things I enjoy as a
hobby is growing Orchids. As you can tell, tropical
and exotic subject is a passion of mine. So, growing
and successfully blooming these 'Jewels of the Jungle'
is very rewarding. Not all orchids come from the
jungle but they all do have an exotic quality. I thought
I'd share some photos of some of the Orchids from my
collection. The orange ones at the bottom are definitely
one of my favorites. This plant currently has 8 blooms
on it.

The 'Spots' have arrived!

Well here they are in all their glory. The spots have arrived!
I believed that I have achieved my goal which was to bring attention to the stars of the show, the Orange Spotted Filefish, while I pack the stage with an array of colors and textures that is a feast for the eye of the audience. The fish here are the main attraction but their surroundings are too interesting not to look. The Filefish may be the first thing to catch your eye but you can't stay there for long, scanning around the canvas finding a place to rest the eye and quickly moving on to see more only to arrive back at the filefish.
My work here is done!
Added note: The spots are swimming away just as fast as they arrived. Their new home is in Irvine, California where Holly, (art collector of the sea) lives and where "Filefish Oasis' will proudly hang.
Holly is a previous collector of my work and I am pleased that she has yet again chosen my work to adorn the walls of her unique and colorful space.
Thank you Holly.

Work in progress 'Filefish Oasis'

'Filefish Oasis' is the smallest of three paintings I'm currently working on. This is a small canvas, (10x15 inches). The subject began as these very brightly colored fishes in shades of Turquoise with Orangy-yellow spots all over there bodies and are about 4 inches long. The spots will be arriving soon! These fish feed on coral in the warm Pacific waters where reef life is abundant. As I began to imagine the diversity of life that make up their home I decided to pack this small canvas with many colors, shapes and textures. With my larger paintings I usually create a path for the eyes of the viewer to follow but in this case I've enjoyed creating the opposite where the viewers eyes can dart about the landscape resting on particular points of interest. 'Filefish Oasis' will soon be completed and I will post the finished mini-masterpiece by next week.

I'm back!

I'm back! Going on Safari in the wilds of Africa and seeing the Amazon Rain forest was beyond my wildest dreams. And still is!!! I wish I could use the excuse of these travels as a reason why I'm not keeping up with my blog. But no excuses for me. The extent of my safari is my studio full of Orchid plants and a small zoo of pets all of which are considered family members.
I intend to make a blog entry once a week or may I never step foot in Africa or the Amazon.
(In this lifetime!)
I've spent the final months of 2008 working on making ACEOs or Art Cards, Editions & Originals and trying to improve traffic to my eBay store. (link at right)
By February of 2009 I was able to begin work on a couple of new smaller paintings. One is a commissioned piece of King Penguins titled, 'The King and the Prince', being shipped to PA this week. Another is of the Queen Parrotfish which the new owner of this painting found captivating on her trip to Aruba. I am currently working on three other paintings which I will keep you posted on. I'll be back after my next adventure!

"And we have a Winner!" Three actually!

My last post introduced you to my newest painting, 'Showy Refuge'. Her debut exhibit is the 2008 Michigan State Fair Fine Arts Competition. I'm pleased to announce that 'Showy Refuge' has been awarded First Place in the Professional Michigan Wildlife Division.
I was also given two awards for the 2007 Julie Kane Peoples Choice Award, a Third Place for 'Tropical Tree House' ,which is now in private collection in the United Kingdom, and an Honorable Mention for 'Sudden Encounter' which can be viewed on my web site. These works are chosen by the visiting public who are able to vote for there favorite works of art. Thank you to all who voted for my work. It is greatly appreciated.
The 2008 Michigan State Fair is open through September 1st. Don't forget to vote for your favorite work of art.

'Showy Refuge'

The idea for this piece began a little over one year ago. I wanted to use our northern Showy Orchids for an entry into the Michigan State Fair Fine Arts Competition in Detroit, Michigan. I didn't finish in time. I started the painting and even used it as a demonstration work during the 'Toad in the Hole' invitational show and sale at Devils Ridge Golf Club in November, 2007. The canvas sat on an easel for another eight months. There was a missing element. But what was it? The Showy Orchid is an illusive plant hidden off the beaten path. It needs very specific soil, water and light conditions for growth. They are a rare site. If on that rare day you happen upon a patch of them in full bloom, you will forever hold there beautiful image. Their flowers of rose, pink and white are a burst of drama in a sea of surrounding greens.
In 'Showy Refuge', a fawn was safely placed among the Showy Orchids by her mother until her return. Perhaps the fawns predators would least expect the showiest of all places. 'Showy Refuge' is on exhibit at the 2008 Michigan State Fair Fine Arts Competition August 22 through September 1 . I hope you get the opportunity to see the exhibit. I would be happy to hear your comments.