'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.

Where have I been?

Obviously it's been a while since my last entry. Where have I been, you ask? I've had a few personal issues to deal with that have kept my creativity to a minimum over the Winter and Spring. Now, with the road a bit smoother, I'm happy to report that the creative juices are once again flowing.
I have also been working on a new website where my work can be viewed as well as purchased.
Nothing fancy but it will work out just fine. My eBay store, 'Tim Marsh-nature2nature', is still going strong and I am looking to expand in the near future.
With that being said, it's back to the drawing board!

Here come the Judge.

The People that I meet during The Art Shoppe at Devils Ridge Golf Club were great. The event, put on by Toad in the Hole productions, was organized beautifully and I was treated like royalty. I was asked to demonstrate my painting technique during show hours. I worked on a new painting of Showy Orchids which I will post soon.

I was also invited to Judge the Oxford High School Art show which was on exhibit for the duration of the show. Judging the show was a pleasure for me and the student art was outstanding. I was able to meet some of the kids and was taken with their fresh enthusiasm for creativity.

Thank you to Toad in the Hole Productions for a very pleasant experience. It's always nice to meet new friends.

Off to the easel!

EXHIBITING : TOAD in the HOLE Art Show & Sale

I have been invited to show and sell my work at Devils Ridge Golf Club in Oxford, Michigan. I will be in great company with 25 or so other Fine Artists and Fine Crafts People. I look forward to meeting you at this event.

Date: Saturday, November 17, 2007

Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Location: Devils Ridge Golf Club 3700 Metamora Rd. Oxford, MI. 48371

ORCHARD LAKE FINE ART SHOW 2007

This is a shot of my booth with show go'ers enjoying my work.

TROPICAL TREE HOUSE

I've worked on this painting during the 'Sudden Encounter" piece. I can call it done after a few touch up's and additions. This piece takes you to an un-seen world in the low canopy of the tropical rainforest where the Red Eyed Tree Frogs make their home.

'Sudden encounter' Completed

'Sudden Encounter' progress update

As you can see the landscape is beginning to build up.

When completed, I expect your eye to immediately be drawn to the Lion fish and/or the pink Anemone in the foreground. Either way, I have created an elliptical path for the viewers eye to follow while allowing the Lion fish to be the star of the show.